| The Beauty of Antarctica |
| Written by Jeff Paulett | |
| Tuesday, 12 May 2009 | |
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Antarctica is the fifth largest continent, extending 14 million square kilometres (apprx. 9 million square miles) where 98% of the mass is an ice sheet over 1 mile thick and 2% barren rock. Approximately 70% of all of the fresh water in the world is locked up in the ice of Antarctica and yet ironically, it is also the largest desert in the world. The definition of desert is a climate with less than 250mm annual rainfall.
Antarctica is the fifth largest continent, extending 14 million square kilometres (apprx. 9 million square miles) where 98% of the mass is an ice sheet over 1 mile thick and 2% barren rock. Approximately 70% of all of the fresh water in the world is locked up in the ice of Antarctica and yet ironically, it is also the largest desert in the world. The definition of desert is a climate with less than 250mm annual rainfall. The beauty of the continent is unsurpassed. Surrounded by the Southern Ocean and with the Transatlantic Mountain range splitting it in half, it draws people form near and far to experience its ethereal existence. There are no indigenous peoples in the country, although several over a few hundred years have staked claim in it. Explorers included Captain James Cook of the UK who, in 1773, crossed the Antarctic Circle for the time in history and Sir James Clark Ross (UK) who founded the Ross Sea and Ice Shelf while searching for the magnetic South Pole. Antarctica's only permanent residents include penguins, seals, whales, krill, albatross, petrel and skua. Visitors will be greeted by a nonchalant, unthreatened stare from the animal population. If you want to get to Antarctica, you first have to leave from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa or South America, by ship. At some point, you'll cross what's known as the "Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone". This phenomenon is caused by deep warm water flowing south from equatorial regions with deep, cold water from Antarctica. This creates a strip about 30 miles wide of up-swelling of nutrient rich turbulent water that surrounds the Antarctic. It came into existence of 20 million years ago, creating a natural barrier across which there has been very little exchange of marine life. The netherworld of your dreams will meet reality as you take in the splendour of the seascapes and landscapes. Truly amazing scenes are awaiting you, sentinels of the land at the bottom of the world. Depending on which tour operator you travel with, there may be 1-3 landings daily where you access the mainland by way of zodiacs. The jaunts normally last about three hours at a time. Tours themselves last around 10-15 days. Once on land there are several things to see and do. You can camp, go mountain climbing, go kayaking or scuba diving. This may let you see this southern world and its inhabitants, such as seals, penguins and whales. You can also visit Deception Island, a volcano that has collapsed to form a natural harbour in the Southern Shetland Islands. Visitors, too, can make a stop at the surprisingly heated Pendulum Cove. A channel that has been nicknamed "Kodak Gap," Lemaire Channel, is extremely popular with visitors. It resides between the Antarctic Peninsula cliffs and Booth Island. If you want to laze away a day, check out Paradise Harbour, with breathtaking scenery and glaciers. Nearby you'll find the Falkland Islands, with a history that goes all the way back to the 16th century; then, Patagonians came to the islands and so did the Argentineans, French and British. Smaller cruise ships tend to go to Antarctica. Occasionally, some of the larger cruise ships venture into Antarctic waters, but only limited numbers are allowed ashore at any one time, so they do not tend to stop for shore visits. Expeditions are seasonal and include stops at historical huts, remote areas, and wildlife viewing. The best time to travel is the summer time between November and March with over twenty hours of sunlight. Temperatures vary throughout Antarctica, from -1C down to -30C depending on the location and season. No matter where you visit on Antarctica, you will find the grace of creation at your fingertips as you set sights on a whole new world. The Article Author: Jeff Paulett is a partner of Coastal Cruises, if you would like to know more about Journeys to Antarctica, please visit their site at Antarctica-Cruising.com. |
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