The majority of people picture Antarctica as a chilly continent covered in ice and they are quite correct. The Antarctic Polar Desert covers the entirety of Antarctica which makes it the largest desert in the world, unlike most deserts, which only occupy a portion of a continent. Despite little precipitation along the coast, Antarctica as a whole qualifies as a polar desert because of its low average rainfall. In this write-up, we will discuss top 17 interesting facts about the Antarctic Desert.
1. Coldest Place on Earth
The lowest natural temperature ever directly recorded on Earth was -128.6°F (-89.2°C) at Vostok Station in the Antarctic desert on July 21, 1983. The average winter temperature at Vostok is -76°F (-60°C). These frigid conditions are due to Antarctica’s high elevation and lack of insulation provided by vegetation. The air is unable to retain heat.
2. Twice the size of Sahara Desert
At 5.5 million square miles (14.2 million sq km), the Antarctic desert covers 98% of the continent and it is twice the size of the Sahara Desert. It is also bigger in area than the continental USA. Antarctica is classified as a desert because its moisture level falls below the threshold to sustain vegetation.
3. Driest Place on Earth
Since the Antarctic desert is the largest desert in the world, some Parts of it have seen no rain for 2 million years. Precipitation averages less than 2 inches (50mm) per year by the coast and far less inland. Over time, the snow that does fall becomes compacted into ice. Antarctica is considered the driest continent.
4. Windiest Place on Earth
The Antarctic desert holds the record for the strongest winds directly measured on Earth. Wind speeds topped 199 mph (320 km/h) at the French-Italian Concordia research station in 2010. The continent’s winds can reach 144 mph (231 km/h) on a regular basis during winter.
5. Highest Continent on Earth
Antarctica has an average elevation of about 7,000 feet (2,100m). The high altitude contributes to the frigid temperatures. The polar plateau where Vostok Station sits is nearly 13,000 feet (4,000m) above sea level. The Gamburtsev Mountain Range hidden below the ice sheet reaches heights of over 9,000 feet (2,700m).
6. 90% of Earth’s Ice
The ice sheet of the largest desert in the world covers about 90% of the land. It contains around 70% of all the freshwater on Earth. If fully melted, Antarctica’s ice could raise global sea levels by 200 feet (61m). The ice sheet averages 1 mile (1.6km) in thickness but can reach 3 miles (4.8km) deep.
7. Length of Daylight
During summer, the Antarctic desert experiences months of constant daylight. The sun does not set for nearly 4 months at the South Pole. In contrast, winters feature months of total darkness at the pole. Further north there can be twilight for only 3-4 hours per day.
8. Inaccessible Location
The vast remoteness, harsh climate, and surrounding oceans make Antarctica the most inaccessible place on the planet. With no native human population, it was only discovered 200 years ago and not explored inland until the late 1800s. Over 99% of tourists only visit the coastal areas accessible by ship.
9. Limited Flora & Fauna
Few plants and animals can survive the extreme cold, aridity, and darkness. Vegetation includes mosses, lichens, algae, fungi, and 100 species of grass. Antarctic wildlife consists of seals, penguins, flying seabirds, whales, and cold-adapted insects like midges and lice.
10. Ozone Hole
The opening of the ozone hole above Antarctica was detected in 1985. Ozone levels declined by 60% due to man-made chemicals. The ozone layer plays an important part in protecting the Earth from harmful UV ray. The hole has started slowly recovering after worldwide bans.
11. Potential Climate Refuge
As global warming causes habitats to change, Antarctica’s frigid climate could provide a refuge for species like penguins, seals, and algae. However, scientists are suspecting that global warming will drastically impact the largest desert in the world through melting ice and rising sea levels.
12. Extremes Support Life
Although Antarctica is one of the world’s most extreme environments, the unique conditions have led to evolutionary adaptations that allow a surprising diversity of organisms to thrive. From tiny algae to massive whales, Antarctic life displays incredible resilience.
13. Largest Canyon System
The largest desert in the world also has the largest canyon system. The Transantarctic Mountains split the continent into two and contain the longest mountain range in Antarctica. The Australasian Antarctic Basin, which is over 932 miles (1,500 km) long and 62 miles (100 km) wide.
14. Active Volcanoes
Antarctica is home to the southernmost active volcanoes on Earth. Mount Erebus is the only continuously active volcano on the continent, with low-level eruptions happening since the 1970s. Several other Antarctic mountains are known to have erupted in historical times.
15. Ancient Meteorites
The cold, dry conditions have preserved many ancient meteorites on the Antarctic desert’s surface. Meteorite recovery expeditions have discovered specimens originating from Mars, the Moon, and the asteroid belt, providing insight into our solar system’s history.
16. Midnight Sun & Polar Night
During summer, the Antarctic coast experiences months of constant daylight with 24 hours of sun each day. The opposite occurs in winter months where there are weeks to months of complete darkness known as the polar night. This contrast impacts wildlife behaviour and research activities.
17. Hidden Lakes and Streams
In 2018, researchers discovered liquid water below the Antarctic ice sheet. Over 400 subglacial lakes and vast networks of rivers and streams exist under the ice, detected through radar and satellite imagery. These bodies of water impact ice sheet movement and could harbour unique microbial life.
Overview
The Antarctic desert continues to be a place of extremes and wonder besides being the largest desert in the world. Discoveries emerging from this remote frozen landscape illustrate life’s incredible tenacity and open new windows into Earth’s past and future. There is still much to learn from this vast polar wilderness.