Global Common- Antarctica

Question 1

Consists of 2 ice sheets. What are they called?

Answer 1

West Antarctic Ice Sheet
&
East Antarctic Ice Sheet

Question 2

How much would global sea level rise if the EAIS melted?

Answer 2

58 metres

Question 3

Antarctica is the largest wilderness on earth. How many seal and 🐳 species is it home to?

Answer 3

6 & 8 respectively 🐳

Question 4

How many birds breed along it’s coast?

Answer 4

100 million

Question 5

What are the 4 main threats Antarctica faces?

Answer 5

1. Fishing & whaling
2. Mineral extraction
3. Climate change
4. Tourism

Question 6

Whaling is now prohibited by the IWC moratorium. Why?

Answer 6

Blue whale stocks dropped from 250,000 - <1,000

Question 7

Antarctic krill are under extreme pressure. Give 3 reasons why.

Answer 7

• fish farms
• pharmaceutical reasons
• northern stocks are being restricted

Question 8

How many barrels of oil are the Ross and Wedell seas supposed to have?

Answer 8

50 Billion

Question 9

Despite currently being banned by the Madrid Protocol why is mineral extraction such a threat to Antarctica?

Answer 9

As global supplies run low, pressure on these stocks increases

Question 10

How has climate change influenced the peninsula?

Answer 10

Average temperature increase of 3 C in the last 50 years.

Question 11

Climate change has led to an increase in southern ocean temps and thinning of the WAIS. What are the consequences ?

Answer 11

Warming the circumpolar current. Causing a decline in krill, melting of glaciers & ice shelves -> rising sea levels

Question 12

How is climate change influencing the EAIS?

Answer 12

Land ice is melting, forming blankets of sea ice

Question 13

How many tourists visit Antarctica a year?

Answer 13

Approx. 44,000

Question 14

Name two consequences of tourism.

Answer 14

Oil spills and leakages from ships/ boats

Erosion and disturbance of fragile environments and to animals - scarring ground