ANTARCTICA
Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost and fifth-largest continent, lying almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the vast Southern Ocean. It is a land of extremes—the coldest, driest, and windiest continent—and also has the highest average elevation of all continents. Despite its harsh conditions, it plays a vital role in regulating the planet’s climate and serves as a hub for international scientific research.
Geography and Ice Cover: Covering around 14 million square kilometers, Antarctica is almost entirely blanketed by a massive ice sheet that can be up to 4.8 km (3 miles) thick. This ice holds about 90% of the world’s ice and 70% of its fresh water. If it were to melt completely, global sea levels would rise by many meters, drastically altering coastlines worldwide.
The Transantarctic Mountains divide the continent into East and West Antarctica. Prominent features include the Ross Ice Shelf, the Ronne Ice Shelf, and Mount Vinson (4,892 m), the highest peak.
Climate: Antarctica is a polar desert with very low precipitation. The average annual temperature in the interior can drop to –43.5 °C (–46.3 °F), and the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth—–89.2 °C (–128.6 °F)—was measured at Vostok Station. Coastal summer temperatures may rise to around –10 °C, but winters are long, dark, and bitterly cold. Strong katabatic winds, sometimes exceeding 200 km/h, sweep across the ice.
Flora and Fauna: Plant life is minimal, limited mainly to mosses, lichens, and algae in ice-free regions. The surrounding Southern Ocean, however, teems with life—penguins (including emperor and Adélie), seals (Weddell, crabeater, leopard), whales (blue, humpback, orca), and numerous seabirds like skuas and petrels.
Human Presence: Antarctica has no permanent human population. Human activity is limited to scientists, researchers, and occasional tourists. Over 70 research stations operate on the continent, run by more than 30 countries.
India’s presence in Antarctica is significant:
Dakshin Gangotri – India’s first base, established in 1983, now decommissioned and used as a supply and historical site.
Maitri – Operational since 1989, located on the Schirmacher Oasis.
Bharati – Commissioned in 2012, situated between Thala Fjord and Quilty Bay.
These stations enable research on climate, glaciology, geology, and marine ecosystems.
The Antarctic Treaty System: Signed in 1959 and now with 56 member nations (including India), the Antarctic Treaty declares the continent a scientific preserve, bans military activity, prohibits mining, and protects its fragile environment. No country owns Antarctica, and no new territorial claims are recognised under the treaty.
Importance and Conservation
Antarctica is crucial for:
Climate regulation – Its ice reflects sunlight, helping keep global temperatures stable.
Scientific research – Ice cores preserve a record of Earth’s climate history.
Biodiversity – The Southern Ocean supports unique ecosystems.
However, climate change poses serious threats, with warming temperatures, melting ice shelves, and habitat loss impacting wildlife and global sea levels.
Fascinating Facts:
● Antarctica has no official time zone.
● The largest iceberg ever recorded, B-15, was larger than Jamaica.
● Lake Vostok, buried under 4 km of ice, has been sealed off for millions of years.
● In summer, the sun shines 24 hours a day; in winter, darkness lasts for months.
Conclusion: Antarctica is more than a frozen wilderness—it is a global treasure. Protected under international agreement, it remains a place for peace and science. The challenges it faces from climate change are a warning for the whole planet, reminding us that even the most remote places are connected to our shared future.
