Why Antarctica's Interesting Geographical Position Is Important
Antarctica, larger than Europe or, makes up one-tenth of earth's land mass
. Withstanding temperatures falling to minus 89 degrees Celsius coupled with wind speeds that can mount to upwards of 192 mph, Antarctica is an immense and inhospitable area. Antarctica home of the South Pole, is completely encircled by the Southern Ocean.
The waters off Antarctica are nutrient rich and provide sustenance for innumerable penguins, whales, seals, dolphins, fish and various species of flying birds. Micro forage, also known as krill, breed under the thick ice in the area.
Krill is the primary diet of baleen whales, seals and penguins, and is even used in Japan as a food source for humans.
The geographical landscape of Antarctica is the coldest, windiest continent on earth, meaning that the animals that live here must adapt to these extreme conditions. Antarctica holds the highest average elevation for any continent, and is perhaps the driest with only approximately 200mm of precipitation along the coast each year.
Seals and penguins are among the animals living in Antarctica who have adapted to the cold, and some plant forms of tundra vegetation and algae have also adapted to the cold.
A quirk of mother nature has rendered Antartica critical to the survival of mankind. The atmosphere is comprised of a variety of molecules, and the heavier ones have a tendency to settle near the poles of our planet, making the greenhouse effect more pronounced in these areas.
The heat supplied by the rays of the sun is soaked up readily, and therefore produces tremendous heat as a result.
The Earth's atmosphere composition is approximately 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. There are also minute amounts of carvbon dioxide and methane.
These gases, combined with water vapor reflect radiation back toward the earth causing it to warm. This is often referred to as the "greenhouse" effect.
Furthermore, due to the 'slingshot effect' present at the Earth's equator, the polar areas accumulate methane and carbon dioxide gases at a far greater rate than any other place on Earth. Because this tremendous heat generated by the Greenhouse effect is so much more extreme than that of other areas, Antartica is the subject of a great deal of scientific scrutiny.
The ice blanketing Antarctica is almost three miles deep. This ice has been formed over millions of years as snow is compacted into tight layers.
Much has been learned by scientists through careful study and observation of atmospheric samples taken from the continent of Antarctica.
The release of refrigerants and CFC's into the air is causing the well-known hole in the atmosphere's ozone layer. These chemicals actively damage the ozone. As such, it has created a warming effect in the area destroying ice shelves.
The ice moves North and melts as it reaches warmer waters. The melting water adds more volume to the ocean's level, slowing increasing it.
Furthermore, this reduces the area where krill may grow.
The seas will rise approximately 180 feet or more when the ice shelves from Antarctica all split off and thaw. New York City would end up a "Venice" of sorts, with waters reaching as high as the 20th story of many large buildings.
Whole countries close enough to sea level may vanish, places like the archipelagos of the South Pacific and Bangladesh.
Those who have made the trip to Antartica testify that the continent is absolutely stunning to look at. The wildlife there has little to no fear of humans. The purity of God's creatures, coupled with the brilliant radiance of nature, is simply a remarkable sight to see.
To keep Antarctica protected and fully saved in its purest magnificence is a wish and a goal for generations - today and tomorrow alike. The currently accelerating destruction was set in motion long ago. Numerous countries have come together to work on preserving what remains of Antarctica.
by: John Chambers
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