15 Interesting Facts About Antarctica

Antarctica presents some of the planet's most extreme conditions. Life here is relatively sparse, yet the Antarctic wildlife that inhabit this icy landscape are exceptionally well adapted to survive the harsh environment. Though the terrain may appear desolate at first glance, Antarctica is one of the most fascinating places on Earth. It’s a continent of remarkable natural phenomena and enduring mysteries.

Facts about Antarctica You Need to Know

1. The Dry Valleys in Antarctica are the driest places on Earth

With almost no humidity or moisture in this part of the continent, snow and ice cannot settle or build up. What remains is a stark, windswept landscape, which leaves these Antarctic valleys as just a dusty expanse.

[Source: Wikipedia - McMurdo Dry Valleys]

2. Antarctica is the windiest place on Earth

Scientists exploring the landmass of Antarctica have reported wind speeds reaching up to 320 kilometres per hour in Commonwealth Bay, with this coastal region regularly experiencing winds exceeding 240 kilometres per hour.

[Source: Discovering Antarctica - British Antarctic Survey]

3. The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the single biggest mass of ice in the world

The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the single biggest mass of ice on the planet, in places reaching depths of up to 4.9 kilometres (approximately three miles). Altogether, Antarctica holds around 90% of Earth's freshwater ice and roughly 68–70% of all fresh water on Earth.

[Source: NASA Science]

4. If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt, it could dramatically raise sea levels

Scientists estimate that if the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt completely, global sea levels could rise by approximately five metres (16 feet). Read more about the changing climate in Antarctica here.

[Source: Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition]

5. The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf ever discovered

The Ross Ice Shelf is a floating tongue of ice that stretches from the continent, covering approximately 500,000 square kilometres. Its vast scale makes it the largest ice shelf ever recorded on Earth.

[Source: Wikipedia - Ross Ice Shelf]

6. Antarctica holds one of the world's biggest mountain ranges

Beneath its thick ice cover, Antarctica hides one of the world's great mountain ranges: the Gamburtsev Mountains. Stretching over 1,200 kilometres, their highest peaks reach around 2,800 metres, which is approximately one-third of the height of Mount Everest.

[Source: NASA Earth Observatory]

7. Antarctica is home to the buried Lake Vostok

Far below the Antarctic ice sheet lies Lake Vostok, a vast freshwater lake sealed beneath four kilometres of ice. Comparable in size to Lake Ontario, it is one of more than 200 hidden lakes beneath Antarctica's surface.

[Source: NASA Science]

8. Antarctica is home to a trench that rivals the Grand Canyon

While the Grand Canyon is largely considered to be the planet's biggest natural canyon, Antarctica holds a rival. Discovered in 2010, the unnamed canyon stretches 100 kilometres long, over nine kilometres wide, and reaches depths of more than 1.6 kilometres. Scientists believe that it could be even larger, with much still left to explore.

[Source: Nature Geoscience]

9. The only known ‘lava lakes’ are found in Antarctica

Antarctica is home to Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on Earth. Even more remarkable, it contains one of the planet's only persistent 'lava lakes', which have held liquid magma for aeons despite the continent's frigid conditions. Read about more fascinating Antarctica features here.

[Source: Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program]

10. Antarctica has 80 research stations run by 30 different countries

There are 30 countries that operate 80 research stations situated around the continent. During summer, about 4,000 people live and work in Antarctica, but in winter, that number drops to around 1,000, leaving only a small group to endure the long, isolated season.

[Source: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs]

11. Only 10 people have ever been born in Antarctica

In January 1979, Emilio Marco Palma became the first person ever born in Antarctica. Since then, only 10 births have taken place on the continent, making it one of the rarest birthplaces on Earth.

[Source: Wikipedia - Emilio Palma]

12. There is no sunlight during the Antarctic winter season

Due to the Earth's tilt, the sun does not rise in Antarctica from the autumnal equinox to the vernal equinox, which means the continent remains dark throughout the entire winter season (March to October).

[Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center]

13. The sun does not set during the Antarctic summer season

Conversely, during the summer months (October to March) the sun does not set in Antarctica, referred to as the Midnight Sun, which means the continent actually receives more sunlight than the Equator during this period. Learn more about the best time to visit Antarctica here.

[Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center]

14. An enormous ice mass was lost in 2000

In March 2000, a massive iceberg broke away from the Ross Ice Shelf, measuring about 270 kilometres long and 40 kilometres wide.

[Source: Antarctic Science]

15. It's impossible for Deep Lake to freeze

Deep Lake, a small lake in Antarctica, is so rich in salt that it remains liquid even at temperatures as low as -15°C. In a place defined by ice, it stands out as something entirely different.

Explore the mysterious, massive landmass on our unforgettable cruises to Antarctica.