Antarctica Flashcards
Why is deep ice formed in Antarctica
Accumulation of snow over a very long period of time
What is the makeup of snow in Antarctica?
98% air and 2% ice particles
How is snow turned into ice?
Layers over layers compact it and squeezes out the air, 50-50 air-ice is called firm
This continues until it is 90% ice and then it is ice
Where are research centres located in Antarctica?
Along the east coast and on the Antarctic peninsula
What is the largest active volcano on Antarctica?
Mt.Erebus in the south of Antarctica
Name the biggest mountain in Antarctica?
Vinson Massif
What is the name of the mountain range which stretches from the north to the south of Antarctica?
Transantarctic mountains
Where are the volcanoes on Antarctica typically found?
West coast and east side of the Ross ice shelf
Where is the Ross Ice shell located?
South of Antarctica
How much snow falls every year in Antarctica and doesn’t melt?
1000 mm of snow
What is it called when large blocks of ice break away into the sea to form icebergs?
Calving
What heats the atmosphere?
Earth
What does the Earth do with the suns energy?
It absorbs it
What form of light hits the Earth from the Sun?
Ultraviolet light
What does the Earth convert the UV light to?
Infrared