Natural features of Antarctica. Geography of Antarctica: geology, climate, inland waters, natural resources and ecology. Fauna of Antarctica

Antarctica is the most mysterious and least explored continent on our planet. The honor of discovering Antarctica belongs to two brave explorers - F. Bellingshausen and M. Lazarev. It was their expedition across the waters of the southern seas that confirmed the presence of a huge continent in the south. And this happened only in 1820.

Until now, the southernmost continent of the Earth keeps many mysteries. To date, it has been established that Antarctica is the highest continent. The height of the land surface above sea level is on average 2,000 meters, and in the center of the continent it reaches 4,000.

The Transarctic Mountains cross the mainland and divide Antarctica into two parts: western and eastern. Most the mainland is covered with ice. And only in the western part about 40 thousand square meters. km are ice-free areas. These are sections of the Pacific coast, small dry plains and several mountain peaks called nunataks. Nunataks rise above the ice sheet.

The Antarctic ice sheet is the most extensive on Earth. This is 30 million cubic meters of ice, which is almost 90% of all ice reserves on the planet. In addition, the ice of Antarctica contains the largest supply of fresh water.

The climate of Antarctica is the coldest on Earth. In 1983, an absolute minimum was recorded here - minus 89.2ºC. In winter, the temperature in Antarctica is kept at minus 60-75ºC, in summer the thermometer rises to minus 50ºC. And only on the coast is a milder climate with an average temperature from 0ºC to minus 20ºC.

Due to the fact that the air temperature never rises above 0 ºC, precipitation in Antarctica is possible only in the form of snow. The fallen snow is compressed under its weight and forms more and more layers of ice. Rains are extremely rare in this region.

However, Antarctica has lakes and rivers. They appear in the summer, and in the winter they dress again in the ice crust. In total, 140 subglacial lakes have been discovered in Antarctica. And of this number, only one lake is non-freezing - Lake Vostok.

Flora of Antarctica

The flora of Antarctica, due to special climatic conditions, is extremely poor. Most of all there are algae - about 700 species. The coast of the mainland and its ice-free plains are covered with mosses and lichens. But there are only two types of flowering plants. These are colobantus quito and Antarctic meadow.

(Colobantus quito)

Colobantus kito belongs to the carnation family. It is a pillow-shaped herb with small white and pale yellow flowers. The growth of an adult plant does not exceed 5 cm.

(Antarctic meadow)

The Antarctic meadow belongs to the family of cereals. It grows only on plots of land that are well lit by the sun. Meadow bushes can grow up to 20 cm. The plant itself perfectly tolerates frosts. Frost does not harm the plant even during flowering.

All plants in Antarctica have successfully adapted to the eternal cold. Their cells contain little water, and all processes are very slow.

Fauna of Antarctica

The peculiarity of the Antarctic fauna is directly related to its climate. All animals live only where there is vegetation. Despite the harsh climatic conditions, a man was even born in Antarctica (this happened in 1978). And excavations have shown that dinosaurs once lived on this continent.

(Indigenous people of Antarctica)

Conventionally, all Antarctic animals can be divided into two groups: terrestrial and aquatic, and there are no completely terrestrial animals in Antarctica.

The waters around the mainland are rich in zooplankton, which is the main food for whales and seals, fur seals and penguins. Icefish also live here - amazing creatures that have adapted to life in icy water.

(Blue whale)

Of the large animals, most often the coast of Antarctica is visited by blue whales, which are attracted here by the abundance of shrimp.

Roundworms and blue-green algae live in the fresh waters of the lakes, copepods and daphnia are found.

(Penguins)

The bird world is represented by penguins, polar terns and skuas. There are 4 types of penguins in Antarctica. The largest population is emperor penguins. Fly on southern mainland and petrels.

(Seals)

There are also few mammals. These are mainly animals that can live on land and in water. Most of all in Antarctica seals. The coast is also home to leopard seals, elephant seals and Ross. Of the dolphin family, there are only small groups of black and white or sand colored dolphins, known among whalers as "sea cows".

(Local beach)

Here there are a lot of invertebrates, arthropods. In Antarctica, 67 species of ticks, 4 species of lice were found. There are fleas, lice and the ubiquitous mosquitoes. And wingless ringing mosquitoes of coal-black color live only in Antarctica. These are the only endemic insects that can be attributed to completely terrestrial animals.

Most of the insects and invertebrates are brought to the shores of the southern continent by birds.

This is one of the most mysterious and little-studied continents on our planet. Antarctica was discovered by two brave explorers - M. Lazarev and F. Bellingshausen. Their expedition confirmed the presence of Antarctica in the south of the globe. It happened in 1820.

Climatic conditions

The nature of Antarctica has the coldest climate on earth. In 1983, the absolute minimum was officially registered - minus 89.2 degrees. In winter, the temperature is kept between -60 and -75 degrees. In summer, it rises to -50. And only on the coast the climate is milder: average temperature ranges from 0 to -20 degrees.

Precipitation is possible only in the form of snow, which is compressed under its own weight, forming new layers of ice.

However, Antarctica has rivers and lakes. They appear in summer, and in winter they are covered with ice again. Today scientists have discovered 140 subglacial lakes. Only one of them does not freeze - the East.

Flora of Antarctica

The flora of the continent is extremely poor. The peculiarities of the nature of Antarctica are explained by its harsh climate. Most of all algae grow here - about 700 species. The ice-free plains and the mainland coastline are covered with lichens and mosses. There are only two flowering plants on this harsh land - the whale colobantus and the Antarctic meadow.

Colobantus quito refers to It is a low herbaceous plant that has a pillow-like shape with small pale yellow and white flowers. The height of an adult plant does not exceed five 5 centimeters.

The Antarctic meadow belongs to cereals. Grows only on plots of land illuminated by the sun. These nondescript bushes grow up to 20 centimeters. The plant tolerates frost well. Even during flowering, frost does not harm it.

The flora of Antarctica, represented by a few plants, has adapted to the eternal cold. Their cells contain little water, all processes are slowed down.

Animals

The peculiarities of the nature of Antarctica have left their mark on the fauna of the continent. The animals of this icy land live only where there is vegetation. Despite the harsh climate, dinosaurs lived in Antarctica in ancient times.

Antarctic animals can be conditionally divided into two independent groups - aquatic and terrestrial. It should be noted that there are no animals permanently living on land in Antarctica.

The waters surrounding the mainland are rich in zooplankton, which is the main food for seals, whales, penguins and fur seals. Icefish live here - amazing creatures that have adapted to existence in icy water.

Large animals of Antarctica include which are attracted here by a large number of shrimp.

Blue-green algae and roundworms live in fresh lakes, crustaceans and daphnia are found.

Birds

Antarctica is home to penguins, polar terns and skuas. The nature of the mainland does not allow a large number of birds to live here. There are four types of penguins in Antarctica. The largest population is imperial. Petrels occasionally fly to the southern mainland.

Mammals

Antarctica, whose nature is too harsh for animals, can only boast of those species that are able to live both on land and in water. First of all, these are seals. In addition, leopard seals live on the coast and there are small sand or black-and-white dolphins, which whalers call

Predators of Antarctica

This continent is home to a wide variety of predators. Their diet mainly consists of planktonic crustaceans. Of these, it is necessary to highlight the leopard seal - the largest seal that feeds on krill. It lives at shallow depths. At the same time, he also has the fame of a predator, which is able to hunt large animals. Such hunting, however, is only seasonal and is intended to diversify the diet of squid and fish, but it is based on krill. A small number of these marine predators keep close to rookeries and penguin colonies. In most cases, these giants drift on ice floes along the peninsula and by the beginning of winter they gather in large numbers near South Georgia.

Leopard seals are real giants. The officially registered length is 3.8 meters, but there were even larger animals.

By autumn, leopards change their way of life and come close to the shore, along which inexperienced young fur seals and penguins descend.

Invertebrates

Whoever suits the nature of Antarctica is the invertebrate arthropods. Antarctica is home to 67 species of ticks and four species of lice. There are lice, fleas and, of course, mosquitoes. It should be noted that wingless ringing mosquitoes, which have a coal-black color, inhabit only the ice continent. These insects are endemic, belonging to completely terrestrial animals.

The bulk of invertebrates and insects are brought to the southern continent by birds.

Tourism

Despite the harsh climate, about six thousand tourists come to Antarctica every year. Most of them travel to the Antarctic Peninsula, where the airfield and tourist base are located. In the 1990s, tourists began to visit the Ross Sea.

The uniqueness of the nature of Antarctica Antarctica is the only continent around the pole. This is the area of \u200b\u200bthe largest glaciation of the Earth. Antarctica is the highest continent of the Earth (the temperature decreases with height), therefore it is the coldest. Low temperatures are combined with constant winds. Antarctica is the poorest continent in terms of the number of plant and animal species.

What makes Antarctica different from all other continents? Read in the textbook on what features does the ice sheet of Antarctica have?

Ice sheet 24 million km 3 ice (90% fresh water) The greatest ice thickness 4500 m Average thickness of the ice shell 2000 m Thickness measured at 10,000 points Age of ice from 30,000 to 1,000 years Taking into account the ice sheet, this is the highest continent - average height 2040 m Nikolaeva S. B. ®

Antarctica is the highest continent on Earth. Its relief is divided into two sharply different types: ice and bedrock: the average height of the surface of the ice sheet is 2040 m, which is 2, 8 times the average height of the surface of all other continents. The average height of the bedrock subglacial surface of Antarctica is 410 m. According to the differences in relief, Antarctica is divided into Eastern and Western. The surface of the ice sheet of East Antarctica, rising steeply from the coast, becomes almost horizontal in the interior of the continent; its central, highest part (in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Sovetskoye plateau) reaches 4000 m and is the main ice divide, or the center of glaciation of East Antarctica. In West Antarctica, there are three centers of glaciation with a height of 2 - 2, 5 thousand m. Along the coast there are often extensive low-lying plains of ice shelves (usually at a height of 30 - 100 m above sea level), two of which are of enormous size (Rossa - 538 thousand sq. Km, Filchner - 483 thousand sq. Km). Relief

The relief of the bedrock (subglacial) surface of East Antarctica is an alternation of high mountain uplifts with deep depressions. The deepest depression is located south of the Knox Coast. The main uplifts are the Gamburtsev and Vernadsky Mountains, which rise in the central part of East Antarctica to an altitude of 3390 m. The Transantarctic Mountains (Mount Kerkpatrick, 4530 m) are partially covered with ice. The ridges of the Queen Maud Land, the Prince Charles Mountains and others also rise above the glacial surface.

The under-ice relief of Mount Elworth Transantarctic - Mountain Mountains. Gamburtseva Ross Barrier, 70 m high ice cliff ice Stone bed, Nikolaev platform S. B. ®

Topography What role does topography play in the movement of ice across the continent? Are there volcanoes on the mainland, are there often earthquakes? What minerals are there on the mainland? Why are these minerals in Antarctica? Who is mining them? Nikolaeva S. B. ®

... The organic world is poor due to extreme living conditions. The usual wind speed is 50 - 60 m / s. The average temperature in winter is 60 ° С, and in summer - 35 ° С. There are no trees and shrubs in Antarctica, almost no herbaceous flowering plants.

Climate The climate of Antarctica is polar continental. Despite the fact that the polar night lasts for several months in Central Antarctica in winter, the annual total radiation approaches the annual total radiation of the equatorial zone. However, 90% of the incoming heat is reflected by the snow surface back into world space and only 10% goes to heating it. Therefore, the radiation balance of Antarctica is negative, and the air temperature is very low.

Winter Summer The cold pole of our planet is located in central Antarctica. At Vostok station on August 24, 1960, the temperature was recorded at -89.2 ° C. average temperature winter months from -60 OS to -70 OS, summer from -30 OS to -50 OS. Even in summer, the temperature does not rise above -20 ° C. On the coast, especially in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Antarctic Peninsula, it reaches 10 -12 ° C in summer, and on average in the warmest month (January) is 1 ° C, 2 ° C. In winter (July) on the coast, the average monthly temperature fluctuates from -8 ° C on the Antarctic Peninsula to -35 ° C at the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf. Cold air rolls down from the central regions of Antarctica, forming katabatic winds reaching high speeds near the coast, and when merging with cyclonic air currents, they turn into hurricane ones (up to 50 -60, and sometimes 90 m / s).

Climate ANTICYCLONE I -64 o. C I -32 o. With less than 50 mm RUNNING WINDS UP TO 90 KM / H CYCLONE 400 -600 mm I -32 o. C I 0 o. S. Nikolaeva ®

In Antarctica, the air humidity is relatively low (60 -80%), near the coast and especially in the Antarctic oases it drops to 20 and even 5%. Cloudiness is also relatively small. Precipitation falls almost exclusively in the form of snow. Large areas of outcrops near the coast, with specific natural conditions, are called Antarctic oases. The largest of them are: Bungera oasis, Vestfold, Grierson oasis, Schirmacher oasis, Wright Valley (Dry Valley).

Animals of Antarctica There are no land mammals in Antarctica. Plants are found: lichens, mosses, algae and some types of herbs. There is a large accumulation of plankton in the water off the coast. The mainland is home to 10 species of birds and several species of seals.

Flora and fauna. Scientists have proven that Antarctica was previously a green continent. And under the ice there are mountains, valleys, plains, beds of former rivers, bowls of former lakes. Millions of years ago, there was no eternal winter on this earth. Here it was warm and green the forests rustled, tall grasses swayed under the warm winds, animals gathered to drink on the banks of rivers and lakes, and birds fluttered in the sky. Now in Antarctica there is a rather meager animal and vegetable world... The vegetation here is lichens, mosses and blue-green algae. Land mammals, winged insects and freshwater fish are absent in Antarctica.

But, despite this, more than 100 thousand penguins nest in the vicinity of Mirny, many petrels, skuas, various species of seals and leopard seals live in the waters. Also in Antarctica such species of animals as elephant seal, antarctic fur seal, minke whale, cape dove, plover, marble notothenia, Antarctic toothfish, white-blooded pike, Antarctic licod, Antarctic calanus, Antarctic krill, Antarctic starfish live.

The main habitats of animals In addition to penguins, 15 more species of birds live (gulls, petrels.) There are many fish, shrimps, big whales in the coastal waters

Oases - areas of the continent free of ice and snow Lichens Algae Mosses Mushrooms Nikolaev S. B. ®

Modern exploration of Antarctica More than 130 years after the discovery of Antarctica, the efforts of researchers from a number of countries have succeeded in almost completely completing the preliminary mapping of its coast and thereby creating the prerequisites for a comprehensive study of the sixth continent, especially its interior regions... The implementation of this ambitious plan was initiated by the International Geophysical Year (IGY) 1957-58.

Twelve countries - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Great Britain, New Zealand and Norway Belgium, Japan, South Africa, the USSR and the USA Decided to jointly explore the mainland and exchange information

in 1955 the USSR organized the First Comprehensive Antarctic Expedition under the leadership of M. M. Somov. The expedition was taken to the shores of Antarctica on ice-class transport ships Ob and Lena, where in February 1956 the first Soviet scientific station in Antarctica, the Mirny observatory, was opened.

For more than forty years, Russian scientists have been working in the South Pole region. Every year ships of the Russian Antarctic Expedition go to the shores of Antarctica to continue an extensive range of scientific observations. Currently, 5 Russian permanent stations are operating in Antarctica: Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Vostok and Progress. To supply the inland station Vostok, sledge-caterpillar trains depart from Mirny Observatory inland every year.

Exploration of Antarctica There are about 20 stations in Antarctica, about 4 thousand people live in summer; the largest are McMedro (USA) and Mirny (Russia). In accordance with the Convention on Antarctica of December 1, 1959, Antarctica does not belong to any state, only scientific activities are allowed. Now 28 states (with the right to vote) and dozens of observer countries are parties to the treaty.

Modern stage exploration of Antarctica 1958 - 1959 - International Geophysical Year 68 research stations of 18 states Nikolaev S. B. ®

Hundreds of new place names have appeared on the map of Antarctica. In 1968, a team of Russian scientists created a one-of-a-kind "Atlas of Antarctica", which is used by researchers around the world.

Antarctica does not belong to any state. There is no permanent population on the mainland. Due to the harsh environmental conditions, researchers usually work no more than one year. By international agreement, any tests of weapons and nuclear explosions... Antarctica is called the continent of science and peace. Nature protection in Antarctica is enshrined in law.

In 2000, Antarctica was visited by about 15 thousand tourists from more than 40 countries. And in the next ten years, the sixth continent is facing a real tourist boom. This forecast was voiced at the 24th consultative meeting of representatives of 45 countries participating in the Antarctic Treaty, which was held in St. Petersburg.

Lake Wanda - Antarctic resort Lake Wanda stretches for 5 kilometers, depth - 69 meters. This lake is classified as super-saline. Its mineralization is 10 times stronger than average sea \u200b\u200bwater and stronger than the Dead Sea. Swimmers know Wanda very well and love to swim there in summer when the lake is free of ice. When the lake begins to overgrow with ice, "pools" are cut down in it.

Decepcion Island - the most popular cruise site Decepcion Island is volcanic. Its large crater collapsed during the eruption and formed a caldera, which was flooded with the sea, and the island itself took a horseshoe shape. The bottom of the caldera, even flooded with water, is restless; it heats the water in the bay so that you can swim. Decepción is very popular: the island is almost at the end of the earth, bears traces of recent eruptions, offering warm beaches and hot springs against the backdrop of the snowy slopes of a collapsed volcano.

The Ozone Hole The ozone hole was discovered in 1985. Its diameter is over 1000 km, its area is about 9 million km². Every year in August, the hole appears, terrifying humanity, and in December or January it disappears, as if it never existed ... The ozone layer absorbs the deadly rays of the Sun and, therefore, protects life on the planet.

Economic use of the mainland. The economic use of Antarctica lies in its study by scientists to understand the general picture of the universe. Observations of the climate of this continent, which affects the entire climate of the planet as a whole, are of great importance. Geologists have established that the bowels of Antarctica contain significant minerals - iron ores, coal, traces of ores of copper, nickel, lead, zinc, molybdenum were found, rock crystal, mica, graphite were found. The industrial development of Antarctica's minerals is quite possible with the proper development of technology.

Homework: * There are many poles in Antarctica: South Pole, Pole of Relative Inaccessibility, South Magnetic Pole, Pole of Cold. Find in additional literature what are these poles? Message to penguins, leopard seals, lions, seals and more. Nikolaeva S. B. ®

Draw the following objects on the contour map: SEA: Weddell, Bellingshausen, Amundsen, Ross LAND: Wilkes, Victoria, Mary Byrd, Alexander I, Queen Maud ISLANDS: South. Shetland, about. Scott, Antarctic Peninsula Ross Ice Shelf South Pole South Magnetic Pole Nikolaev S. B. ®

Horizontal: 2. The base of Antarctica. 6. English polar explorer who reached with his expedition South Pole... 8. An active volcano on islands in the Ross Sea (3 794 m). 9. Marine animal. 10. One of the Russian sailors, whose expedition first approached the shores of Antarctica. Vertical: 1. Navigator, whose name is given to the strait separating the Tierra del Fuego islands from Antarctica. 2. The point on the mainland, to which many polar explorers aspired. 3. Norwegian polar explorer of the 19th century. 4. The navigator, whose name is named the sea off the coast of Antarctica. 5. The name of the Soviet polar stations in Antarctica. 7. Marine animal that lives off the coast of Antarctica.

Verification test 1. Antarctica - by area of \u200b\u200bthe continent: a) third; b) fourth; c) fifth; d) sixth. 2. Population of Antarctica: a) permanent; b) fickle. 3. When it is summer in Russia, in Antarctica: a) spring; b) autumn; c) polar day; d) polar night. 4. Antarctica was discovered in 1820 by a Russian expedition headed by: a) FF Bellingshausen; b) I.F.Kruzenshtern; c) M.P. Lazarev; d) Yu. F. Lisyansky. 5. The flora and fauna of Antarctica is represented by: a) mosses, lichens, algae. b) meadows and moss bogs. c) penguins, sea lions, seals. d) cougar, nutria, condor.

Think and answer ... What is the characterization of the Antarctic ice sheet? What are the features of the subglacial topography of Antarctica? What is the characterization of the climate of Antarctica? Nikolaeva S. B. ®

Think well and answer ... In what months is there a polar day and a polar night in Antarctica? Why Antarctica has the lowest temperatures on earth? What changes will occur on Earth if strong volcanic eruptions occur in Antarctica? Why study Antarctica? Nikolaeva S. B. ®

Write a syncwine "Antarctica" reflect in it the most essential features of the continent !!! Name 2 adjectives 3 verbs Sentence 1 noun Nikolaeva S. B. ®

Antarctica is a unique continent Globe... The nature of Antarctica is very similar to the nature of the Arctic.

General characteristics of the nature of Antarctica

Antarctica is rightfully considered the coldest place on the entire planet. The land of the continent is represented by huge ice blocks, the thickness of which reaches 5 km. The lowest temperature on this continent is 80 ° C.

The warmest place in Antarctica is located on the Antarctic Peninsula, the average temperature in summer here rises to 0 ° C. In these areas of the continent there is primitive soil, on which plants sometimes germinate in summer.

The relief of the continent is completely hidden by ice. On the eastern part of the mainland there are the Transantarctic mountains. Mount Vinson is the highest point in Antarctica, its height reaches 5145m. The territory of Antarctica is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.

Antarctic oases

Antarctic oases are the few areas of Antarctica dominated by relatively favorable climatic conditions... In the Antarctic oases, ice does not cover the earth's surface, which allows the germination of mosses and lichens.

Antarctic oases serve as a refuge for some species of birds and animals. It is here that penguins and gulls build their nests in order to incubate future offspring.

Fauna of Antarctica

The most numerous representatives of the animal world in Antarctica are penguins. Emperor penguins are especially common here. They differ from other representatives of their species by their high growth, which reaches 120 cm.Penguins settle large groups in coastal areas.

Penguins get food for themselves in the waters of the ocean. The waters of Antarctica are also home to whales that migrate annually with the onset of winter in Antarctica.

Also in Antarctica you can meet gulls and petrels. The waters of Antarctica are home to many fish species that provide food for penguins and predatory birds.

Flora of Antarctica

The plant world in Antarctica is unusually meager. There is very little water in the tissues of plants that grow on the territory of this continent - after all, in the opposite case, the plant cells become icy, which leads to their death.

The flora of Antarctica includes only five species of plants: mosses, flowering plants, liver mosses, algae and lichens. All plants are undersized.

Features of the nature of Antarctica are determined by the geographic location of the continent.

This is the coldest and most lifeless continent, on which all year round freezing temperatures from -60 ° C to -32 ° C. The territory of Antarctica is located in the Antarctic and subantarctic climatic zones.
On this mainland, the most low temperature on the ground -90 ° C.

Human life is impossible here. On this continent there are scientific stations where scientists temporarily live. The mainland is completely covered with ice.

Unlike other continents, the geographical position has had a huge impact on the relief of Antarctica.
First, thanks to the colossal glaciation, Antarctica is the highest continent on Earth. Its average height exceeds 2000 m. More than a quarter of its surface is at an altitude of 3000 m.
In this respect, it also differs sharply from all other continents, since even the largest and highest continent Eurasia has an average height of 1000 m!
Secondly, thanks to the powerful glacial shell of Antarctica, two reliefs are distinguished: the relief of the glacier surface and the relief of the earth's crust hidden under it.

The mainland is rich in many minerals (150 items). Huge reserves of various minerals have been discovered here: coal, deposits of iron, copper, molybdenum, lead, tin and other metals, graphite, mica, crystal, diamonds, etc.

Life on the mainland exists only in the coastal zone, on subantarctic islands and in ocean waters. The mainland vegetation is represented by mosses, lichens, algae and microscopic fungi.

Animals that live on this continent live off the coast, feed on fish. However, amazing non-flying birds, penguins, also live here. In total, Antarctica is inhabited by four species of penguins out of 18 found on Earth. About 10 species of penguins are known in coastal waters and on islands.
Seals and walruses live in the watery coastal zone.

The harsh climate of Antarctica is formed due to the peculiarities geographic location, the presence of an ice sheet and is the cause of the extremely poor organic world. The mainland is almost universally a cold Antarctic (biological) desert. Antarctica plays a key role in the general circulation of the planet's atmosphere and climate.