Antarctica: A continent of superlatives

The Antarctic Treaty, an unprecedented international agreement to govern the continent together entered into force in 1961 and currently has 54 parties.

Polar Regions of the Earth have been the focus of scientific researches on climate change, geology, ocean observations, electric and magnetic flux measurements, and environmental monitoring. Read more about the fifth continent that has the least population. 

When humans caught their first glimpse of Antarctica in 1820, it was the only continent without an indigenous population. Several nations quickly made claims to the continent, which led to significant tension. While some countries argued that Antarctica was rightfully theirs, others heartily disagreed.

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The Antarctic Treaty, an unprecedented international agreement to govern the continent together entered into force in 1961 and currently has 54 parties. The treaty sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation, and bans military activity on the continent. 

Antarctica holds most of the world’s fresh water

An incredible 60-90% of the world’s fresh water is locked in Antarctica’s vast ice sheet. The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest on Earth, covering an incredible 14 million km² of Antarctic mountain ranges, valleys and plateaus.

Antarctic Peninsula rapidly warming 

The Antarctic Peninsula is warming more quickly than many other areas on Earth. In fact, it is one of the most rapidly warming areas on the planet. Over the past 50 years, average temperatures across the Antarctic Peninsula have increased by 3°C (37.4°F), five times the average increase on Earth. This has led to some changes, for example where and when penguins form colonies and sea ice forms. 

There is no Antarctic time zone

The question of time in Antarctica is a tricky one. At the South Pole the lines of longitude, which give us different time zones around the globe, all meet at a single point. Most of Antarctica experiences 6 months of constant daylight in summer and 6 months of darkness in winter. 

India on Antarctica 

The 40th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) departed for the South Pole from Mormugao Port, Goa with 43 members on board, January 5, 2021. India has two stations on the polar continent of Antarctica — Maitri and Bharati. Dakshin Gangotri was the first scientific base station of India situated in Antarctica, part of the Indian Antarctic Programme launched in 1984.

Fast facts

• The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest ice store on earth
  • Area: 14 million kilometres
  • Mass: 30 million cubic metres
  • Maximum depth: 4776 metres
  • Average depth: 2,160 metres
  • Covers roughly 98% of Antarctica
  • Contains 90% of the ice on earth
  • Contains 70% of the world’s freshwater

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