2. Geography - Antarctica Icy continent at the South Pole. Covered by permafrost (permanently frozen ground) Surrounded by water About 1 1/2 times larger than the United States Has the world's largest desert is on Antarctica 98% of the land is covered with ice Has about 87% of the world's ice.
3. Climate – Antarctica Coldest, windiest, and driest place on Earth. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was at the South Pole; it reached -128.6°F ! On average, most of Antarctica gets less than 2 inches of snow fall each year.
4. Why do you think that Antarctica is so much colder than the Arctic?
5. Antarctica is a continent surrounded by an ocean which means that interior areas do not benefit from the moderating influence of water. With 98% of its area covered with snow and ice, the Antarctic continent reflects most of the sun's light rather than absorbing it. During the winter, the size of Antarctica doubles as the surrounding sea water freezes, effectively blocking heat transfer from the warmer surrounding ocean. Antarctica has a higher average elevation than any other continent on Earth which results in even colder temperatures.
6. ICE Thickest ice is 15,000 feet thick. That’s About 5,000 feet in a mile Estimate how many miles thick the ice can be in Antarctica. How thick was the ice at your house a few weeks ago?
7. People - Antarctica No permanent human residents (because of the extreme weather, which includes freezing temperatures, strong winds, and blizzards). There are about 4,000 seasonal visitors to Antarctica (mainly scientific expeditions).
19. Goal for this part of the unit: Research Project on Penguins
20. 17 species of penguins – You get TWO Adelie African Chinstrap Emperor Erect Crested Fairy Fjordland Crested Galapagos Gentoo Humboldt King Macaroni Magellanic Rockhopper Royal Snares Island Yellow Eyed
21. Here’s what you will learn . . . Physical description Diet Habitat Other interesting features
22. Here’s how you will demonstrate what you have learned . . . IF ……. BUT