Geographical Research

Students: Dan Hagendorf and Gina Finio

Ice cores can reveal patterns of mean air temperature, evidence of major volcanic eruptions and, by analysis of the air trapped in ice bubbles, data on the composition of the atmosphere.
The researchers say that the release of an "enormous, forceful volume" of freshwater, like that which occurred millions of years ago, could impact the stability of the East Antarctic ice sheet and disrupt the Southern Ocean circulation, contributing to regional and global climatic changes. The effects could "alter the delicate balance of the Earth's ecosystems" they warn.

Facts:
The fifth largest continent
Located in the earths southern hemisphere
Less than 5% of Antarctica is not covered in ice
Over 14 km of land
It’s about 1.3 times the size of Europe
Some of 98% of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctica ice sheet
It’s the world’s largest ice sheet
Its climate is subartic to artic