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MNN.COM > Eco-Glossary

Antarctica

 
Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth. It is the coldest, driest, windiest, highest (on average) and most isolated continent, with very unique physical and biological characteristics. These fascinating qualities are what draw humans from all over the planet to visit and explore Antarctica, but tourism also contributes to the deterioration of its environment.
 
Antarctica is also a region very vulnerable to and threatened by climate change. Over the past half-century, there has been a marked warming trend in the Antarctic Peninsula. Much of the rest of Antarctica has cooled during the last 30 years, due to ozone depletion and other factors, but this trend is likely to reverse. Surface waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica have warmed and become less saline, and precipitation in this region has increased. A great deal of legislation has been passed all over the world to protect and preserve it. (Source: EPA, NY Times / Photo: Christian Revival Network)

Recent Stories


NASA finds shrimp dinner on ice beneath Antarctica

Tue, Mar 16 2010 at 4:05 PM EST

Scientists find complex organisms in an area where only a few microbes were thought to exist.


Two huge icebergs let loose off Antarctica's coast

Fri, Feb 26 2010 at 9:04 AM EST

Experts are concerned about the two icebergs now floating away from the Mertz glacier; the incident may cause a decreased level of oxygen in the world's oceans.


Climate change melts Antarctic ice shelves: USGS reports

Mon, Feb 22 2010 at 6:55 PM EST

Ice has retreated so far from the land that Charcot Island, which was connected to the peninsula by an ice bridge, emerged as a real island again last year.


Explorers' century-old whisky found in Antarctic

Fri, Feb 05 2010 at 1:54 PM EST

Five crates of 100-year-old brandy and Scotch whiskey were found underneath Antarctic ice, opening a door into distiller McKinlay and Co.'s past.


No-kill researchers sail to study Antarctic whales

Mon, Feb 01 2010 at 11:17 PM EST

Challenging Japan's killing of up to 1,000 whales a year in the name of science, techniques will include dart biopsies, photography, satellite tag tracking.


Glacial profiling: Are glaciers on thin ice?

Wed, Jan 27 2010 at 2:15 PM EST

Glaciers around the world are melting faster than usual, threatening to eliminate some of our largest and oldest freshwater sources. Should we be worried?


Bob Barker helps stop whaling with namesake ship

Wed, Jan 06 2010 at 10:23 AM EST

$5 million vessel intervenes in Japanese whaling mission near Antarctica.


Explorers hail historic Antarctic plane find

Sun, Jan 03 2010 at 4:19 AM EST

Historically low tides, caused by a blue moon, allowed workers in Cape Denison, Antarctica, to spot the remains of one of the first working airplanes.


Australia issues shipping alert over giant iceberg

Fri, Dec 11 2009 at 3:37 AM EST

The 12-mile long hunk of ice is expected to split as it moves to warmer waters, creating hundreds of smaller icebergs.


Latest Rhodes scholar is environmentalist who studied in Antarctica

Mon, Nov 23 2009 at 7:31 PM EST

Grace Tiao focused on mapping organisms to predict life in other areas of Antarctica.


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