Antarctica Flashcards
What is the southernmost continent on Earth?
Antarctica
True or False: Antarctica is a desert.
True
What is the primary reason Antarctica is considered a desert?
It receives very little precipitation.
Fill in the blank: The Antarctic Circle is located at _____ degrees south latitude.
66.5
Which ocean surrounds Antarctica?
Southern Ocean
What is the largest ice sheet in the world located in Antarctica?
Antarctic Ice Sheet
How much of the world’s freshwater is stored in Antarctica?
About 60%
What is the name of the highest peak in Antarctica?
Mount Vinson
True or False: Antarctica has a permanent human population.
False
Which country operates the southernmost permanently inhabited research station?
Argentina (Esperanza Base)
What treaty governs international relations regarding Antarctica?
Antarctic Treaty
When was the Antarctic Treaty signed?
1961
What is the primary purpose of the Antarctic Treaty?
To ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes and scientific research.
Which animal is known as the largest land predator in Antarctica?
The Antarctic seal
Fill in the blank: The primary type of penguin found in Antarctica is the _____ penguin.
Emperor
What phenomenon causes the long periods of daylight or darkness in Antarctica?
Polar day and polar night
True or False: Antarctica is home to a diverse range of plant life.
False
What type of climate is found in Antarctica?
Polar climate
What is the average temperature in Antarctica during winter?
Around -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit)
Which country has the largest number of research stations in Antarctica?
The United States
What is the main source of food for penguins in Antarctica?
Krill
Fill in the blank: The Antarctic Peninsula is the _____ part of the continent.
most northerly
What is the primary threat to the Antarctic ecosystem?
Climate change
Which type of ice is formed from the freezing of seawater?
Sea ice
True or False: The Antarctic Ice Sheet is shrinking.
True
What is the name of the area in Antarctica where the ozone layer has been depleted?
Ozone hole
What are icebergs primarily made of?
Freshwater ice
What type of research is primarily conducted in Antarctica?
Scientific research
Fill in the blank: The main research focus in Antarctica includes _____ and climate studies.
Glaciology
What is the term for the seasonal melting and freezing of sea ice in Antarctica?
Sea ice cycle
Which continent is considered a natural laboratory for studying climate change?
Antarctica
What is the term for the large floating sheets of ice that break off from glaciers?
Icebergs