Research stations have been established by many countries, and scientists study a wide range of topics, including climate change, geology, astronomy, and biology. Scientific Research: Since the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, scientific research has been the primary activity on the continent. The treaty prohibits military activities, nuclear explosions, and territorial claims, and promotes scientific cooperation. The most important of these is the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed in 1959 and has since been joined by dozens of countries. International Agreements: In the years following the Heroic Age, a series of international agreements were signed to regulate activities on the continent. These explorers faced extreme conditions, including harsh weather, dangerous terrain, and isolation. These included expeditions led by Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton, and Roald Amundsen. The Heroic Age: From 1895 to 1917, a period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, numerous expeditions were launched to explore the continent. Other explorers, such as British naval officer James Cook and American sealer Nathaniel Palmer, also sailed near the continent around this time. The continent was covered by forests and inhabited by dinosaurs and other animals.Įarly Exploration: The first recorded sighting of Antarctica was in 1820, by a Russian expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen. Here are some key events in the history of Antarctica:Īncient History: Antarctica was once part of the supercontinent Gondwana, which included what is now South America, Africa, India, Australia, and Antarctica. While there are no permanent human settlements on Antarctica, there are research stations operated by several countries, as well as a number of tourists who visit the continent each year.įun Facts About Antarctica – Basic Facts & HistoryĪntarctica has a relatively short history of human exploration and habitation, as it is a harsh and inhospitable environment. Scientists from around the world also conduct research on Antarctica, studying topics such as climate change, geology, and astrobiology. This makes Antarctica the largest ice sheet on Earth.ĭespite its harsh environment, Antarctica is home to a surprising variety of life, including penguins, seals, and whales. The continent is mostly covered by ice, with ice sheets that can be more than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) thick in some places. It is home to the South Pole, which is the southernmost point on Earth. It is the fifth largest continent, covering an area of about 14 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles), which is roughly twice the size of Australia.Īntarctica is a unique and harsh environment, characterized by extreme cold temperatures, high winds, and very little precipitation. Other Interesting Things About Antarcticaįun Facts About Antarctica – About AntarcticaĪntarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth, located almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |