Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Global systems > Antartica > Flashcards

Antartica Flashcards

1
Q

why is Antarctica a global common?

A

it has no national jurisdiction but it is a centre for scientific research

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

how much of Antarctica is covered by glacial ice?

A

97%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is the highest mountain in Antarctica?

A

Mt vinson 4892m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is the height of Antartctica?

A

highest continent average 2300m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

why is it unique?

A

only place on earth covered in as much glacial ice
unique climate
SSSI

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

location and general information of antarctica

A 
southernmost continent
virtually uninhabited ice-covered land mass
covers 14 million sq m 
highest continent on earth (7500) ft
97% covered by glacial ice 
global common
surrounded by southern ocean 
found 60 degrees south 
sssi
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is the climate like in antarctica?

A 
average temp is -49 degrees
annual wind speed of 50 mph 
annual precipitation is as low as 50mm per anum
best described as a polar desert 
coldest, windiest and dryest continent
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is nunatac?

A

dry velleys

islands in a sea of ice. high winds and steep slopes prevent ice and snow accumulating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

physical geography of Antarctica

A

97% covered by ice
continent is divided into east (greater antarctica) and west (lesser antarctica) - divided by the transantarctic mountains
transantarctic range contains many peaks above 4000m
east antarctic ice sheet is thicker than west
mount vinson is highest peak
average height is 2300m above sea level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

antarctic convergence zone

A

At approx 60 degrees south the cold northward flowing flowing waters from the antarctic meet with warmer sub-antarctic waters. this is known as the convergence zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

convergance zone extd

A

Approx 32-48 km wide the cold northward flowing antarctic waters predominantly sink between sub-antarctic waters this forms areas of mixing and upwelling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

antarctic divergence zone

A

antarctic circumpolar current blocks warmer eater travelling southwards

  • circumpolar current flows in an eastward direction driven by westerly winds
  • a lesser current close to Antarctica slows in an opposite direction
  • area where these meet is known as zone of antarctic divergence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what are the 4 threats to antarctica?

A

tourism and scientific research
fishing and whaling
mineral resources
climate change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

concerns for tourism and scientific research…

A
  • fragile ecosystem- even small disturbances leave a long lasting imprint
  • summer tourism season coincides with peak wildlife breeding seasons
  • the demand for freshwater is difficult to meet
  • visitor pressure is felt on heritage sites
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is the background about tourism and scientific research on Antarctica?

A
  • people have only inhabited for about 100 years
  • continent is not populated except by scientists conducting research
  • scientists and tourists are the main human threats
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

scientific research on Antarctica

A

scientists are not aware about the need for care of the antarctic environment
some activity causes disturbance to the environment and wildlife
impacts are caused by vehicle exhausts, construction of buildings

17
Q

tourists on antarctica

A

camping trips for naturalists, photographers and journalists
ship board visits e.g cruises
tourists go to see glacial landscapes and wildlife

18
Q

mineral resources in antarctica

A
  • there have never been any commercial mining as mining is banned by antarctic treaty
  • no current plans by any of treaty nations to revise this
  • future demand for resources will put pressure on the vast mineral reserves on continent
  • antarctica is known for mineral deposits but big deposits are not economically viable
19
Q

background of whaling

A
  • began in 19th century
  • the whale population of north antlantic have became reduced due to massive exploitation
  • whaling was a highly profitable business
  • whale populations dramatically declined due to overkilling and species becoming endangered
20
Q

threat = fishing

A
  • fishing has now replaced whaling in area
  • in 1960’s russian ships began to exploit southern ocean for fish
  • commercial fishing is becoming an increasing threat to southern ocean and antarctica
  • high risk of over fishing
  • ships are dumping waste into oceans and killing organisms
21
Q

international whaling commision

A
  • introduced in 1946
  • led to an end in most whaling in 1985
  • in 1994 the INC established the southern ocean whale sancturary- an area of 50 million sq Km surrounding antarctica where whaling was banned
  • reviewed every 10 years
  • japan has continued to hunt
22
Q

background of climate change in Antarctica

A
  • impact of climate change - people believe GW is melting polar ice caps + sea and land ice
  • some people believe CC is not affecting as land ice is growing
  • western side is losing a significant amount of land ice and not gaining any sea ice
23
Q

cc in antarctica

A

temp of antarctica as a whole is predicted to rise by a small amount over next 50 years
any increase in the rate of ice melting is expected to be partly ofset by increased snowfall as a result of warming

24
Q

western ice sheet and antarctic peninsula

A
  • peninsula is very sensitive to temp increases
  • this area has experienced air temp increases of nearly 3 degrees
  • temp of western change has risen and western antarctic ice sheet has thinned significantly
  • southern ocean temps to west have increased by over 1 degree since 1995
25
Q

east antarctic and sea ice expansion

A
  • temp of easern antarctica hasnt risen as much as peninsula
  • no significant loss of any ice
  • if the world is warming sea ice is expanding on the eastern side towards the indian and pacific oceans
26
Q

reasons why climate change contributes to sea ice expansion

A

increased westerly winds
more rain and snow
increased melting of continental land ice creates more floating ice bergs

Global systems (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions