Antarctica is the sixth continent, the last of the discovered continents. Due to the extremely harsh conditions, it is inaccessible to most. However, people do not really want to come here. Only trained researchers survive here for quite a long time. Hurricane winds, low temperatures, endless expanses of ice and snow - that's what Antarctica is. The climate of the continent is primarily determined by the geographical position of the mainland.
Place on the globe
The position of Antarctica is the reason why it has remained hidden from the watchful eyes of seafarers for so long. The sixth continent is located in the Southern Hemisphere, in the polar region. In addition to the distance, it is separated from the rest of the continents by drifting ice, which was an insurmountable obstacle for the ships of past centuries.
At some distance from the center of the mainland is the South Pole. Pole of relative inaccessibility andthe absolute pole of cold are two more points that Antarctica can boast of. The climate of the continent in general terms becomes clear already from their names.
Temperature
The lowest mark to which the thermometer fell in Antarctica is -89.2 ºС. Such a temperature was recorded in the area of the then Soviet Vostok station. Here is the absolute pole of cold.
In the central zones of the continent there are no positive temperatures even in the short summer months. From November to February, when the warm season comes to the Southern Hemisphere, the air can warm up to -30 ºС or -20 ºС. On the coast, things are different. Here the temperature in the summer months rises to 0 ºС and sometimes even higher.
Sunny but cold
The peculiarities of the climate of Antarctica are associated with a fairly large amount of energy coming here from our star, and at the same time low temperatures. This discrepancy is explained by the high reflectivity of ice. During the short summer months, the sun shines from an almost cloudless sky almost non-stop. However, most of the heat is reflected. In addition, during the polar night, which lasts half a year on the continent, Antarctica cools even more.
Hurricanes
The severity of the climate of Antarctica is explained by another of its features. The so-called kabatic, or stock, winds blow here. They are formed as a result of the difference in surface and air temperatures. Also, the cause of the formation of winds is the dome-shaped configuration.ice sheet of the continent. The surface air layer cools, its density increases, and under the influence of gravity, it sort of flows down towards the coast. The thickness of such a mass is on average 200-300 meters. It carries a large amount of snow dust, which greatly impairs visibility in the area where the wind occurs.
The speed of movement of air masses depends on the degree of steepness of the slope. The winds are strongest in the coastal area with a slope towards the sea. They blow for quite long periods. The Arctic winter is the time of maximum wind strength, raging from April to November almost without interruption. From November to March the situation improves somewhat. Winds arise only when the Sun is low above the horizon, and at night as well. With the arrival of summer, due to the increase in surface temperatures, the coast becomes quiet.
Antarctica, whose climate is quite severe even in the summer months, is inaccessible to airplanes and other aircraft for eight months as a result of the activation of hurricane winds. Polar explorers wintering at this time, in fact, remain cut off from the outside world.
Indigenous Peoples
Such a harsh climate meanwhile did not make Antarctica completely uninhabited. There are birds, insects, mammals and even plants. The latter are mainly represented by lichens and low-growing grasses (not higher than one centimeter). Mosses are also found on the continent.
There is not a single completely terrestrial mammal species on Antarctica. The reason for this lies in the sparse vegetation: in the central zones of the mainland there is simply nothing to eat. The most famous animal of the continent is the penguin. Several species nest here. Some settle only on the islands, others have chosen the coast.
Antarctica, whose climate is detrimental to many organisms, does not scare away seals, as well as blue whales, sperm whales, killer whales, southern minke whales. Of birds other than penguins, icy expanses are native to skuas and petrels.
The harsh Antarctic climate is unsuitable for human life. However, this does not prevent scientists from actively exploring the continent: a fairly large number of polar stations have already been located on its territory. Every year, researchers strive here to overcome extreme conditions and get closer to many secrets of the mainland and nature in general.
