To To Know The Past, Know The Past,

Present and Future Present and Future Of The Planet Go Of The Planet Go

To-To-ANTARCTICA….ANTARCTICA….

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Information about AntarcticaInformation about Antarctica

begins……..begins……..

AntarcticaAntarctica Fifth largest of the Earth’s seven continents, located almost entirely Fifth largest of the Earth’s seven continents, located almost entirely

south of latitude 66`33 south (the Antarctic Circle) and surrounding south of latitude 66`33 south (the Antarctic Circle) and surrounding the south pole. It is mainly circular in shape with a long arm-The the south pole. It is mainly circular in shape with a long arm-The Antarctic Peninsula – reaching out towards South America.Antarctic Peninsula – reaching out towards South America.

During the winter, Antarctica doubles in size because of the large During the winter, Antarctica doubles in size because of the large amount of sea ice that forms at its periphery. The true boundary of amount of sea ice that forms at its periphery. The true boundary of Antarctica is not the coastline of the continent itself but the Antarctic Antarctica is not the coastline of the continent itself but the Antarctic Convergence.Convergence.

Antarctica has no native population.Antarctica has no native population. Antarctica is more than 95% ice covered and contains about 90% of Antarctica is more than 95% ice covered and contains about 90% of

the world’s fresh water. Because of its thick ice cover, it is the highest the world’s fresh water. Because of its thick ice cover, it is the highest of all continents, with an average elevation of about 2,300m(7,500ft). of all continents, with an average elevation of about 2,300m(7,500ft).

Geological History-Antarctica was a central part of the former super continent Gondwanaland. As Gondwana broke apart some 100 million years ago to form continents of the southern hemisphere, Antarctica drifted from the Tropical zone to its present polar position.

The discoveries of fossils included vertebrae, teeth, jaws and partial The discoveries of fossils included vertebrae, teeth, jaws and partial skeletons of mosasaurs and plesiosaurs-large ocean-dwelling reptiles, skeletons of mosasaurs and plesiosaurs-large ocean-dwelling reptiles, along with that of dinosaurs about 65 million years ago. The discoveries along with that of dinosaurs about 65 million years ago. The discoveries provided further evidence that Antarctica was a subtropical region provided further evidence that Antarctica was a subtropical region millions of years ago, when the continents were much closer than they millions of years ago, when the continents were much closer than they are today and had connecting marine corridors. The mosasaurs and are today and had connecting marine corridors. The mosasaurs and plesiosaurs were plesiosaurs were thought to have arrived in Antarctica about 75 million years ago.thought to have arrived in Antarctica about 75 million years ago.

Drainage and Water Resources-Drainage and Water Resources-The ice cover of Antarctica is continuously The ice cover of Antarctica is continuously

moving.moving.Large tabular icebergs are formed as the Large tabular icebergs are formed as the

edges of the ice shelves and glaciers calve edges of the ice shelves and glaciers calve off into the sea. Ice also extents over vast off into the sea. Ice also extents over vast areas of the sea in the form of permanent areas of the sea in the form of permanent

floating ice sheets; the largest of these floating ice sheets; the largest of these formations, the Ross Ice Shelf, is about the formations, the Ross Ice Shelf, is about the

size of Spain and Portugal.size of Spain and Portugal.The general isolation of Antarctica from the remainder The general isolation of Antarctica from the remainder

of the world has allowed it to avoid the industrial of the world has allowed it to avoid the industrial pollution common to the other continents, so the pollution common to the other continents, so the snow and ice there are the purest in the world.snow and ice there are the purest in the world.

Climate-Climate- Antarctica is the coldest continent. The lowest Antarctica is the coldest continent. The lowest temperature over recorded anywhere on Earth-88.3’C temperature over recorded anywhere on Earth-88.3’C was on August 24,1960,at Vostak Station.was on August 24,1960,at Vostak Station.

In the interior, winds as high as 320km/h have been In the interior, winds as high as 320km/h have been recorded.recorded.

Antarctica can be classified as a true desert with Antarctica can be classified as a true desert with raging blizzards.raging blizzards.

Gondwana and Gondwana and Angara LandsAngara Lands

Continental DriftContinental Drift

Antarctic GlaciersAntarctic Glaciers

An Introduction To An Introduction To AntarcticaAntarctica

AntarcticaAntarctica is is Earth's southernmost 's southernmost continent, underlying the , underlying the South Pole. It is situated in the . It is situated in the Antarctic region of the of the southern hemisphere, almost entirely south of the , almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by the , and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. . It is the fifth-largest continent in area after It is the fifth-largest continent in area after Asia, , Africa, , North America, and , and South America....

Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the of all the continents. Antarctica is considered a continents. Antarctica is considered a desert, with annual , with annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast and precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast and far less inland. far less inland. There are no permanent human residentsThere are no permanent human residents but but anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the year at the research stations scattered across the continent. year at the research stations scattered across the continent. Only cold-adapted plants and animals survive there, Only cold-adapted plants and animals survive there, including including penguins, , seals, many types of , many types of algae and and Tundra vegetation.vegetation.

Fauna Fauna

A variety of A variety of marine animals exist and marine animals exist and rely, directly or indirectly, rely, directly or indirectly, on the phytoplankton. on the phytoplankton. Antarctic sea life includes Antarctic sea life includes penguins, , blue whales, , orcas, , colossal squids and and fur seals. .

AlbatrossAlbatross

SealSeal

PenguinPenguin

Blue WhaleBlue Whale

OrcasOrcas

COLOSSAL SQUIDCOLOSSAL SQUID

FloraFloraThe climate of Antarctica does not allow extensive vegetation. The climate of Antarctica does not allow extensive vegetation.

A combination of freezing temperatures, poor A combination of freezing temperatures, poor soil quality, quality, lack of moisture, and lack of sunlight inhibit the flourishing lack of moisture, and lack of sunlight inhibit the flourishing of plants. As a result, plant life is limited to mostly of plants. As a result, plant life is limited to mostly mosses and and liverworts. The . The flora of the continent largely consists of of the continent largely consists of lichens, bryophytes, algae, and fungi. Growth generally lichens, bryophytes, algae, and fungi. Growth generally occurs in the summer, and only for a few weeks at most. occurs in the summer, and only for a few weeks at most.

PopulationPopulationAntarctica has no permanent residents, but Antarctica has no permanent residents, but

a number of governments maintain a number of governments maintain permanent manned research stations permanent manned research stations throughout the continent. The number of throughout the continent. The number of people conducting and supporting people conducting and supporting scientific research and other work on the scientific research and other work on the continent and its nearby islands varies continent and its nearby islands varies from about 1,000 in winter to about 5,000 from about 1,000 in winter to about 5,000 in the summer .in the summer .

Threats Of Global Threats Of Global WarmingWarming

Affects Of Global WarmingAffects Of Global Warming

Some of Antarctica has been warming up, particularly strong Some of Antarctica has been warming up, particularly strong warming has been noted on the Antarctic Peninsula. West warming has been noted on the Antarctic Peninsula. West Antarctica has warmed by more than 0.1°C/decade in the last Antarctica has warmed by more than 0.1°C/decade in the last 50 years, and this warming is strongest in winter and spring. 50 years, and this warming is strongest in winter and spring. Although this is partly offset by fall cooling in East Antarctica. Although this is partly offset by fall cooling in East Antarctica. There is evidence from one study that Antarctica is warming as There is evidence from one study that Antarctica is warming as a result of human CO2 emissions. According to NASA, the a result of human CO2 emissions. According to NASA, the most widespread Antarctic surface melting of the past 30 years most widespread Antarctic surface melting of the past 30 years occurred in 2005, when an area of ice comparable in size to occurred in 2005, when an area of ice comparable in size to California briefly melted and refroze; this may have resulted California briefly melted and refroze; this may have resulted from temperatures rising to as high as 5 °C (41 °F).from temperatures rising to as high as 5 °C (41 °F).

Ozone hole over Ozone hole over AntarcticaAntarctica

Ozone DepletionOzone DepletionEach year a large ozone hole grows over Antarctica Each year a large ozone hole grows over Antarctica

covering the whole continent, this hole was at its covering the whole continent, this hole was at its largest in September and in 2008 was one of the largest in September and in 2008 was one of the longest lasting on record, continuing until the end longest lasting on record, continuing until the end of December. The hole was detected by scientists of December. The hole was detected by scientists in 1973 and has tended to expand over the years in 1973 and has tended to expand over the years of observation. The ozone hole is attributed to the of observation. The ozone hole is attributed to the emission of chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs into the emission of chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs into the atmosphere, which decompose the ozone into atmosphere, which decompose the ozone into other gases.other gases.

Fascinating Facts Fascinating Facts About AntarcticaAbout Antarctica -If Antarctica's ice sheets melted, the world’s -If Antarctica's ice sheets melted, the world’s

oceans would rise by 60 to 65 meters (200 - oceans would rise by 60 to 65 meters (200 - 210ft)  - everywhere210ft)  - everywhere

-Many other Antarctic sea creatures including -Many other Antarctic sea creatures including fish have antifreeze properties in their blood so fish have antifreeze properties in their blood so they don't accidentally get frozen solid!they don't accidentally get frozen solid!

- The Antarctic ice cap has 29 million cubic - The Antarctic ice cap has 29 million cubic kilometers of ice. This is 90% of all the ice on kilometers of ice. This is 90% of all the ice on the planet and between 60 and 70 % of all of the planet and between 60 and 70 % of all of the world's fresh water. Only about 0.4 percent the world's fresh water. Only about 0.4 percent of -Antarctica is not covered by ice.of -Antarctica is not covered by ice.

-Antarctic fish have lived at between +2°C and --Antarctic fish have lived at between +2°C and -2°C for 5 million years (-2°C is the freezing point 2°C for 5 million years (-2°C is the freezing point of sea water, below zero because of the salt). of sea water, below zero because of the salt). They are therefore the best cold adapted They are therefore the best cold adapted animals that there are on the planet - now or animals that there are on the planet - now or ever.ever.

Discussion Of The LessonDiscussion Of The LessonEarly this year…….landmassEarly this year…….landmass1.1. What are the adjectives used for Antarctica?What are the adjectives used for Antarctica?2.2. From where did the journey begin and what did it involve?From where did the journey begin and what did it involve?3.3. How did the Antarctica amaze the writer when he first saw it?How did the Antarctica amaze the writer when he first saw it?4.4. Explain: How India and Antarctica were parts of the same landmass?Explain: How India and Antarctica were parts of the same landmass?Part of the historyPart of the historySix hundred and fifty million years ago………at the bottom of the world.Six hundred and fifty million years ago………at the bottom of the world.1.1. What was Gondwana?How was it like 650 million years ago?What was Gondwana?How was it like 650 million years ago?2.2. What happened to Gondwana 150 million years ago?What happened to Gondwana 150 million years ago?3.3. How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of mankind?How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of mankind?4.4. What changes have emerged in the geological phenomena of the Earth in last One Million What changes have emerged in the geological phenomena of the Earth in last One Million

Years?Years?For a sun worshipping ……….prognosis isn’t good.For a sun worshipping ……….prognosis isn’t good.1.1. Explain the comparison of Antarctica to a giant ping-pong ball.Explain the comparison of Antarctica to a giant ping-pong ball.2.2. Why does one lose all earthly sense of time and perspective here?Why does one lose all earthly sense of time and perspective here?3.3. What is the range of visual scale of Antarctica?What is the range of visual scale of Antarctica?4.4. How is the silence of the land interrupted?How is the silence of the land interrupted?Human civilizations……..Antarctica is a place to go.Human civilizations……..Antarctica is a place to go.1.1. What is the impact of human civilizations on the Earth?What is the impact of human civilizations on the Earth?2.2. There are climate changes ?Why does the author think the Antarctica is crucial to study their There are climate changes ?Why does the author think the Antarctica is crucial to study their

effects?effects?