What is it like at the center of Antarctica?

At the center of the Antarctic continent, the South Pole is a barren desert of snow. It boasts some of the lowest temperatures in the world, and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is an oasis of life surrounded by miles of ice.

Has anyone been to the center of Antarctica?

In what could go down as one of the great feats in polar history, the American Colin O’Brady, 33, covered the final 77.54 miles of the 921-mile journey across Antarctica in one final sleepless, 32-hour burst, becoming the first person ever to traverse Antarctica from coast to coast solo, unsupported and unaided by wind …

What does it feel like to be in Antarctica?

The interior of the continent – extremely cold with little snowfall. The coastal areas – milder temperatures (though still very cold) and much higher precipitation rates. The Antarctic Peninsula region – which has a warmer and wetter climate, with above-freezing temperatures common in the summer months.

Is there life in the middle of Antarctica?

There is relatively little diversity in Antarctica compared to much of the rest of the world. Terrestrial life is concentrated in areas near the coast. Flying birds nest on the milder shores of the Peninsula and the subantarctic islands. Eight species of penguins inhabit Antarctica and its offshore islands.

Do any humans live in Antarctica?

Antarctica is the only continent with no permanent human habitation. There are, however, permanent human settlements, where scientists and support staff live for part of the year on a rotating basis. The continent of Antarctica makes up most of the Antarctic region.

Why do humans not live in Antarctica?

Due to its remoteness, inhospitable weather conditions and lack of natural land bridges connecting it to other continents, Antarctica has spent the last 35 million years in relative silence and seclusion.

Why are spiders not found in Antarctica?

Cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warm water, and the oxygen content of seawater near the coast of Antarctica is especially high. So far their results seem to support the oxygen hypothesis for polar gigantism: larger sea spiders fare poorly in low oxygen water.

What is Antarctica like as we know it today?

Here’s Antarctica as we know it today, a land of vast ice sheets. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Antarctica hasn’t always been covered by miles-thick ice sheets, a land of hunkered-down penguins and some scraggly grasses. Roughly 35 million years ago, Antarctica was a warmer, more luscious land.

What does Antarctica look like underneath the ice?

Antarctica is covered in miles of ice. But what does it look like underneath? Here’s Antarctica as we know it today, a land of vast ice sheets. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Antarctica hasn’t always been covered by miles-thick ice sheets, a land of hunkered-down penguins and some scraggly grasses.

What is the Antarctic Convergence and where is it?

The Antarctic Convergence (also known as the Antarctic Polar Front) marks the true outer edge of Antarctica. It is a circumpolar strip of sea around the southern most reaches of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans varying between about 45° and 60° South. It’s exact position is somewhat variable, but it is a very real and permanent feature.

Where can I find information about the Antarctic Program?

U.S. Antarctic Program sites USAP.gov — The U.S. Antarctic Program web portal PolarIce USAP Marine Operations Services Antarctic Treaty sites U.S. Annual Report to the Antarctic Treaty Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs Antarctic Treaty Secretariat Antarctic Treaty Committee for Environmental Protection USAP Environmental Links