Antarctica Flashcards
1
Q
3 background points about Antarctica:
A
- 5th largest continent, 25% larger than Europe
- Highest continent- average land height of 2300 metres-> decreases temp
- No permanent pop, no one owns it (part of global commons)
2
Q
What is the average temperature in Antarctica? why are temps so cold?
A
Average temp= -40 (angle of sun is low in sky, surface has a high albedo (reflectiveness)-> energy from sun reflects out into space= cooler temps
3
Q
Since the 1960s what changes have occurred in Antarctica d2 climate change?
A
- Since 1960s-> rainfall and snowmelt have increased in Margurite Bay area, Antarctic Peninsula (ap)
- Other changes d2 cc= extreme weather events e.g. snowfall in central Antarctica, rainfall in coastal margins, collapse of ice shelves around ap
4
Q
Why is the Antarctic peninsula most affected by climate change? What changes has this caused?
A
- Ap= changing the most (doesn’t have continentality protection-> as the sea warms it will too)-> temps risen by 2.5 degrees + snowmelt has extended up to 3 weeks
5
Q
According to the ICC what consequences will there be by 2100?
A
IPCC- global mean air temps will rise by 2 degrees by 2100-> 50m rise in sea level (some say 90m)
6
Q
What do NASA argue about changing ice levels in Antarctica?
A
- 2015 NASA- A is gaining more ice than it has lost BUT ap and w antarctica have lost ice
- Ice in W Antarctica is unstable enough to cause sea level rises between 1-3m
