How Are the Arctic and Antarctica Different?
The Arctic is an ocean covered with floating ice, and Antarctica is a giant continent of land buried under ice! They sit at opposite ends of Earth, and they are opposites in other ways too.
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Why Is Antarctica Colder than the Arctic?
Antarctica is colder than the Arctic because it is a high continent of land, while the Arctic is a low ocean! Height, land, and water all play a part.
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Is There Land Under the North Pole?
No, there is no land under the North Pole! It sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, with deep water below. The ice on top is just floating sea ice.
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How Thick Is the Ice in Antarctica?
The ice in Antarctica is about 1. 2 miles thick on average, and in some places almost 3 miles thick! That is a giant frozen blanket on top of a continent.
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Was Antarctica Ever Warm and Green?
Yes, Antarctica was once warm and green! Millions of years ago it had forests, ferns, and animals. Earth's continents move very slowly.
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What Are the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle?
The Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle are imaginary lines around Earth, about 66. 5 degrees north and south of the equator! Inside them, the Sun behaves in a special way.
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What Is the Arctic Ocean Like?
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest ocean on Earth, and it is covered with sea ice in winter! It sits at the top of the world, surrounded by land.
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What Is the Southern Ocean?
The Southern Ocean is the ring of cold water that circles Antarctica, and many scientists call it the fifth ocean! It has strong winds and giant waves. Let's sail in.
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Why Is the Ground Frozen All Year in Parts of the Arctic?
In parts of the Arctic, the ground stays frozen all year! It is called permafrost. Only the top layer thaws in summer. Permafrost covers about a quarter of the land in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Why Are There No Tall Trees on the Arctic Tundra?
There are no tall trees on the Arctic tundra because it is too cold, too windy, and the ground is frozen below the surface! So plants stay small and low.
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What Is the Difference Between Sea Ice and an Ice Sheet?
Sea ice is frozen seawater that floats, and an ice sheet is a giant thick layer of ice sitting on land! They are both ice, but they are very different. Let's compare.
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How Does Ocean Water Turn Into a Sheet of Ice?
Ocean water turns into ice when it gets cold enough, but salty water needs to be colder than freshwater to freeze! Tiny crystals start the process. Let's watch it happen.
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Why Is Old Sea Ice Less Salty than the Ocean It Came From?
Old sea ice is less salty than the ocean it came from because the salt slowly drains out of it! Over time, the ice becomes much fresher. Let's follow the salt.
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Why Do Pancakes of Ice Form on the Ocean?
Pancakes of ice form when waves bump and rub slushy ice into round plates! They look just like pancakes floating on the sea. Let's flip through the steps.
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What Is an Ice Shelf?
An ice shelf is a thick, floating platform of ice that is attached to the land! It sticks out over the sea like a giant frozen shelf.
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Where Do Icebergs Come From?
Icebergs come from glaciers and ice shelves that break off into the sea in a process called calving! That is how giant floating ice mountains are born. Let's follow one.
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Why Are Some Icebergs Flat Like Tables?
Some icebergs are flat like tables because they break off ice shelves, which are flat on top! Scientists call them tabular icebergs.
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Why Do Some Icebergs Look Blue?
Some icebergs look blue because very old, tightly packed ice soaks up the red part of sunlight and sends the blue back to your eyes! Bubbles change the color.
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How Much of an Iceberg Is Hidden Underwater?
About nine tenths of an iceberg is hidden underwater, and only the tip shows! That is why people say 'tip of the iceberg'. Let's dive in.
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Why Does Ice Ooze Downhill Like Thick Honey?
Ice looks solid, but under its own huge weight it can slowly flow downhill like thick honey! Rivers of ice carry it toward the sea.
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What Is the Greenland Ice Sheet?
The Greenland ice sheet is a giant layer of ice that covers about four fifths of Greenland, the biggest island on Earth! It is up to two miles thick.
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Why Do Giant Cracks Open in Polar Ice?
Giant cracks open in polar ice when glaciers stretch and bend as they flow! They are called crevasses. They can be very dangerous.
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Where Is the Coldest Place on Earth?
The coldest place on Earth is Antarctica! Vostok Station there recorded minus 128. 6 degrees Fahrenheit in 1983. At that temperature, your breath would freeze into tiny crystals in the air.
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Why Is Antarctica So Windy?
Antarctica is so windy because cold, heavy air slides downhill off the high ice sheet like water flowing down a slope! Scientists call these katabatic winds. Hold on to your hat.
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Why Are Some Valleys in Antarctica Free of Ice and Snow?
Some valleys in Antarctica have no ice or snow because mountains block the glaciers and strong winds blow the snow away! They are called the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Let's visit.
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What Is the Midnight Sun?
The midnight Sun is when the Sun stays above the horizon all night long in summer! It happens in places north of the Arctic Circle. Let's soak up some sunshine.
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What Is the Polar Night?
The polar night is a time in winter when the Sun does not rise at all! Near the pole, it lasts for months. But it is not as dark as you might think.
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Why Does the Sun Stay Up for Months Near the Poles?
The Sun stays up for months near the poles because Earth is tilted as it travels around the Sun! The tilt is about 23. 5 degrees. When it is summer at one pole, it is winter at the other.
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How Long Is One Day at the North Pole?
One day at the North Pole lasts a whole year! There is only one sunrise and one sunset each year. It sounds strange, but it is true.
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Why Does the Sun Circle Around the Sky at the Poles Instead of Rising and Setting?
At the poles, the Sun circles the sky instead of rising and setting, because Earth's spin does not carry you through day and night there! It travels around the horizon. Let's spin around.
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Why Is the Sun So Low and Weak Near the Poles?
The Sun is low and weak near the poles because its light hits the ground at a slant and spreads out thin! Even in summer, the Sun never climbs high. Let's shine a light on it.
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What Does the Sky Look Like in the Blue Glow of Polar Twilight?
Polar twilight glows in deep blue, purple, and pink before the Sun returns and after it leaves! It can last for days or even weeks. Let's gaze at the sky.
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How Do People Sleep When the Sun Never Sets?
People sleep when the Sun never sets by keeping a regular bedtime and making their bedrooms dark! Our bodies have a clock that follows light. Let's learn bedtime tricks.
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How Do People Living in the Arctic Stay Cheerful During Months of Darkness?
People in the Arctic stay cheerful during months of darkness by spending time together, staying active, and using lots of cozy light! Good habits keep spirits bright.
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Why Do Plants Grow So Fast in the Arctic Summer?
Plants grow so fast in the Arctic summer because the midnight Sun gives them light almost around the clock! They race to grow before winter comes back. Let's watch them grow.
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Why Do Some Arctic Flowers Turn to Follow the Sun?
Some Arctic flowers turn to follow the Sun because their cup-shaped petals act like tiny satellite dishes that gather warmth! This sun tracking is called heliotropism. Let's follow the light.
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Why Don’t Reindeer Follow a Day-And-Night Clock in the Arctic?
Scientists found that reindeer in the Arctic do not have a strong 24-hour body rhythm! Instead of following day and night, they eat and rest in short cycles. Let's follow the herd.
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What Do Animals Do During the Long Polar Night?
During the long polar night, animals do different things! Some leave, some sleep deeply, and some stay active. Each plan helps them survive.
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Why Are Arctic Summers So Full of Mosquitoes?
Arctic summers are full of mosquitoes because thawed ground makes thousands of shallow ponds where mosquito eggs hatch! The swarms come out all at once. Let's follow the buzz.
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How Many Seasons Are There at the Poles?
The poles have two main seasons, a long sunny summer and a long dark winter! Spring and autumn are very short. Let's go around the year.
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What Is Diamond Dust?
Diamond dust is made of tiny ice crystals that form right in the air on very cold, clear days and sparkle as they drift down! It looks like floating glitter. Let's sparkle.
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Why Are Shadows So Long Near the Poles?
Shadows are so long near the poles because the Sun sits low in the sky! A low Sun stretches shadows far across the ground. Let's measure.
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What Time Is It at the North Pole?
At the North Pole, all the time zones meet, so there is no official local time there! Research stations simply choose one that is convenient. Let's check the clock.
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Why Can Stars Shine All Day During the Polar Night?
Stars can shine all day during the polar night because the Sun stays below the horizon, so the sky never brightens! Astronomers love it. Let's stargaze.
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Why Does the Moon Stay Up for Two Weeks at the Poles?
The Moon can stay up for two weeks at the poles because it circles Earth about once a month! Half of that trip is above the horizon. Let's follow the Moon.
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What Happens on the Day the Sun First Returns After the Polar Night?
When the Sun first returns after the polar night, it peeks over the horizon for just a few minutes, and people celebrate! Each day, it stays up longer. Let's welcome it back.
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Why Do Polar Explorers Wear Dark Goggles?
Polar explorers wear dark goggles because snow and ice reflect most of the sunlight, and the glare can hurt their eyes! Goggles protect them. Let's gear up.
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Why Does the South Pole Get Less Sunshine Over a Year than a Sunny Beach?
The South Pole gets less sunshine over a year than a sunny beach because the Sun is always low there, and it is gone for half the year! Its light is weak and spread out. Let's compare.
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Why Does the Sun Look Squashed When It Sits Near the Horizon?
The Sun looks squashed near the horizon because Earth's air bends its light! The bottom edge bends up more than the top, so the Sun looks flattened like an oval. Let's bend some light.
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How Do Scientists at the South Pole Celebrate the Middle of Winter?
At the South Pole, scientists celebrate midwinter on June 21 with a special dinner, cards, and greetings from other stations! It is the darkest day of the year there. Let's join the party.
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How Do Polar Animals Stay Warm Without a Heater?
Polar animals wear built-in winter coats made of fur, feathers, and fat! These layers trap heat close to the body, so the cold stays outside. They also use smart shapes and cozy habits.
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How Do Seals Keep Their Flippers Warm in Icy Water?
Seals keep their flippers from wasting heat by using a clever plumbing trick! Warm blood going out to the flipper passes its heat to the cooler blood coming back. So the heat stays in the body, and the flipper stays cool and safe.
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How Can Birds Stand on Ice Without Freezing Their Feet?
Birds can stand on ice because their legs have a built-in heat-saving trick! Warm blood heading to the feet gives its heat to cool blood coming back up. So the feet stay cool, but the body stays toasty.
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Why Do Many Arctic Animals Have Small Ears and Short Tails?
Many Arctic animals have small ears and short tails because small body parts lose less heat! Ears, tails, and legs have lots of surface for their size, and heat escapes through surfaces. So shorter parts help save precious warmth.
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Why Are Polar Animals Often Big and Round?
Polar animals are often big and round because a big, round body loses heat slowly! A large body has less skin compared with the amount of body inside. Less skin means less heat can escape into the cold.
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Why Do Snowy Owls Have Feathers on Their Feet?
Snowy owls have feathers on their feet to wear built-in fluffy socks! The feathers trap warm air and keep skin from touching cold snow. That helps owls rest on the frozen ground without freezing.
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How Do Reindeer Find Food Under the Snow?
Reindeer find food under the snow by smelling it and digging for it! Even under a foot of snow, they can sniff out their winter snack. Then they scrape the snow away with their hooves and noses.
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Why Do Reindeer Eyes Turn From Gold to Blue?
Reindeer eyes change color with the seasons, from gold in summer to blue in winter! The change helps their eyes see better when the light is very different. It happens in a mirror-like layer at the back of the eye.
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What Makes Musk Ox Wool So Warm?
Musk ox wool is so warm because musk oxen wear two coats at once! A long, shaggy outer coat blocks wind and snow. A super-soft wool layer underneath holds in body heat.
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How Do Lemmings Live Under the Snow?
Lemmings live under the snow in a cozy hidden world! When snow piles up, a space forms between the ground and the snow. The snow acts like a blanket, so it stays much warmer than the air above.
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How Can Some Fish Live in Water That Is Colder than Freezing?
Some fish can live in water colder than freezing because they make their own antifreeze! The antifreeze is made of special proteins in their blood and body fluids. It keeps tiny ice crystals from growing, so the fish keep swimming happily.
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Why Are Icefish Blood Clear Instead of Red?
Icefish blood is clear because icefish do not have red blood cells like most animals! They are special fish that live in the icy waters around Antarctica. Their blood carries oxygen in a different way.
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How Can an Arctic Ground Squirrel Survive Below Freezing?
Arctic ground squirrels survive below freezing by supercooling their bodies! During hibernation, their body temperature drops to about 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Even so, their body fluids do not freeze solid.
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Why Don’t Polar Bear Paws Slip on Ice?
Polar bear paws do not slip on ice because they are covered with tiny bumps! The bumps grip the ice like a rubber doormat. And their huge paws spread out the bear's weight, too.
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Why Does the Arctic Tern Fly From Pole to Pole?
The Arctic tern flies from pole to pole to enjoy two summers every year! It nests in the Arctic summer, then flies south to the Antarctic summer. It follows the sunshine and the food.
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How Deep Can Emperor Penguins Dive?
Emperor penguins can dive more than 1,800 feet deep, deeper than a skyscraper is tall! They can also stay underwater for more than 20 minutes. Their bodies have amazing diving tricks.
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How Do Seals Breathe Through Holes in the Ice?
Seals breathe through holes in the ice that they keep open themselves! They are mammals, so they must come up for air. These holes are their doorways to the air.
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How Do Arctic Hares Hop Across Deep Snow?
Arctic hares hop across deep snow on big, furry back feet that work like snowshoes! The wide feet spread out the hare's weight. So the hare stays on top of the snow instead of sinking in.
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Why Is the Arctic Willow Shorter than Your Shoe?
The Arctic willow is shorter than your shoe because staying low keeps it safe and warm! It is a real willow, but it grows sideways instead of up. Hugging the ground helps it survive the Arctic wind.
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What Are Lichens, and Why Do They Grow on Bare Polar Rock?
A lichen is a team of a fungus and a tiny alga living together! The fungus gives shelter, and the alga makes food from sunlight. Together they can live on bare polar rock where nothing else grows.
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What Are Snow Fleas?
Snow fleas are tiny black specks that hop around on the snow, but they are not real fleas! They do not bite people or pets. They are tiny animals called springtails.
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Do Worms Really Live in Glaciers?
Yes, worms really live in glaciers! They are called ice worms. These tiny black worms spend their whole lives in the ice. Ice worms are among the few animals that live their whole lives in ice.
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Why Do Sled Dogs Curl Up in the Snow to Sleep?
Sled dogs curl up in the snow to sleep because it keeps them warm! Their thick coats, curled-up bodies, and bushy tails work together. Even the snow itself helps, like a soft blanket.
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What Are Walrus Tusks For?
Walrus tusks are long teeth that help walruses in lots of ways! They keep growing for a walrus's whole life. A walrus can use them like ice picks.
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How Do Polar Animals Know When Winter Is Coming?
Polar animals know winter is coming by watching how long the days are! The length of the day is the same every year, even when the weather is odd. That makes it a very reliable clue.
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Why Are Polar Seas So Full of Life?
Polar seas are full of life because cold water is packed with oxygen and nutrients! In summer, the Sun shines almost all day long. That helps tiny floating plants grow in huge numbers.
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What Is Krill, and Why Does It Matter So Much?
Krill are small, shrimp-like animals that matter hugely to the Southern Ocean! They eat tiny plants and are eaten by almost everyone. Let's learn more!
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What Lives on the Underside of Sea Ice?
Under sea ice lives a hidden garden of tiny plants called ice algae! They grow in brown and golden streaks on the bottom of the ice. Tiny animals graze on them like cows in a meadow.
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Why Is Sea Ice a Nursery for Baby Animals?
Sea ice is a nursery because it gives young animals safety, warmth, and food! Many babies are born or grow up on and around the ice. It is a stable place to rest, close to a meal.
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Who Eats Whom in the Antarctic Ocean?
In the Antarctic ocean, almost everyone eats or is eaten, starting with tiny plants! Krill sit in the middle of the whole web. They are the center of almost everything.
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What Does the Arctic Food Web Look Like?
The Arctic food web starts with tiny algae and plankton and reaches all the way up to polar bears! Each link depends on the one below it. That means a change at the bottom can be felt at the top.
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What Are Copepods?
Copepods are tiny swimming animals in the sea, and they are cousins of crabs! Each one is only about the size of a grain of rice. But there are so many that they feed huge animals.
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Why Do Whales Visit Polar Seas to Eat?
Whales visit polar seas to eat because summer there is an enormous buffet! The water is full of krill and fish. Whales feast for months and store up lots of fat.
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How Can a Bowhead Whale Live for 200 Years?
Bowhead whales can live around 200 years, longer than any other mammal! They live in cold water and grow very slowly. Their bodies also seem to repair damage very well.
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Why Does the Southern Ocean Circle All the Way Around Antarctica?
The Southern Ocean circles Antarctica because no land blocks the water! Strong winds push it around the continent from west to east. It is like a giant merry-go-round of sea.
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Why Does Sinking Cold, Salty Water Matter for the Ocean?
Sinking cold, salty water matters because it carries oxygen and heat all around the ocean! Very cold, salty water is heavy, so it sinks. It then spreads along the sea floor for thousands of miles.
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Why Are Some Antarctic Sea Creatures So Big?
Some Antarctic sea creatures grow extra big, and scientists call this polar gigantism! Sea spiders can be as big as a dinner plate. Scientists are still studying all the reasons.
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What Is a Brinicle?
A brinicle is a hollow tube of ice that grows downward from sea ice! It forms from super-salty, super-cold water called brine. Some people call it an ice stalactite.
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What Is a Polynya?
A polynya is a patch of open water surrounded by sea ice! It sounds like pol-IN-yah. These watery windows are very important for wildlife.
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How Do Millions of Seabirds Fit on One Arctic Cliff?
Millions of seabirds fit on Arctic cliffs by using every tiny ledge! Each pair needs only a small space. The cliffs are safe, and the sea below is full of food.
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Why Do Arctic Bird Cliffs Have Bright Green Grass and Orange Rocks?
Arctic bird cliffs are green and orange because seabirds feed the plants without trying! Their droppings work like fertilizer. That makes grass and orange lichens grow lush and bright.
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How Old Can a Greenland Shark Get?
A Greenland shark may live for hundreds of years! Scientists estimate some are 250 to 500 years old. That makes them the longest-living backboned animals known.
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Do Corals Live in Cold Polar Waters?
Yes, corals live in cold polar waters, too! These cold-water corals live deep in the dark sea, where there is no sunlight. They catch their own food instead.
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What Are Seal Whiskers For?
Seal whiskers are super-sensitive detectors that help seals find fish! They can feel tiny ripples in the water. That works even in the dark.
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Why Do Some Seals Sing Under the Ice?
Some seals sing under the ice because sound travels far in water! Male Weddell seals and bearded seals make long trills and whistles. Their songs can be heard miles away.
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Why Is the Edge of the Sea Ice a Feeding Hotspot?
The edge of the sea ice is a feeding hotspot because the meltwater there sets off a feast! Fresh meltwater floats on top of the salty sea. That layer is sunny and calm, perfect for tiny plants.
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How Can Satellites Find Penguins From Space?
Satellites can find penguins from space by spotting their droppings! The droppings stain the ice and rocks a reddish brown. That color can be seen from far, far above.
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Why Do Polar Animals Grow So Slowly?
Polar animals grow slowly because cold slows down the chemistry in their bodies! Many take years to mature and live for decades. Slow growth uses less energy.
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Why Are Polar Seas Busy in Summer and Quiet in Winter?
Polar seas are busy in summer and quiet in winter because the Sun brings the food! In summer, nearly nonstop sunshine makes plankton bloom. In winter, there is little light, so the party slows down.
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How Do Scientists Explore Under Polar Sea Ice?
Scientists explore under polar sea ice using cameras, robots, and special vehicles! These tools let researchers look beneath thick ice. And they do it without breaking the ice open.
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How Do Icebreaker Ships Break Through Thick Ice?
An icebreaker is a ship built to crush its way through thick ice! It has a super strong steel hull and a bow shaped like a sloping spoon. The engines push it up onto the ice, and its heavy weight does the breaking.
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How Do Ships Find a Path Through Sea Ice?
Ships find a path through sea ice by reading clues from the water, the air, and even space! Ice pilots look for open channels, and satellites show where the ice is thick or thin. Then the ship moves slowly and carefully.
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How Do Planes Land on Snow and Ice?
Planes land on snow and ice by using skis instead of wheels! Skis spread the plane's weight over a wide area, so it glides on top. Pilots also need a smooth, hard surface to land on.
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What Vehicles Drive Across Polar Snow and Ice?
Polar travelers use snowmobiles, tracked vehicles, and big tractors to cross snow and ice! Tracks and wide skis spread out weight so vehicles do not sink. Some pull sleds loaded with supplies.
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Why Don’t Skis Sink Into the Snow?
Skis do not sink because they spread your weight over a big area! Your weight is the same, but the push on each bit of snow is much smaller. Scientists call that push pressure, and it is the secret of skiing.
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Why Do Polar Travelers Wear Layers of Clothes?
Polar travelers wear layers because layers trap warm air between them! Each layer has its own job, and together they keep the cold out. Layers also let you adjust as you warm up or cool down.
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Do People Really Live in Igloos?
Not really! Most people today live in regular houses, but snow houses are real! Inuit in the Canadian Arctic have built snow houses for hundreds of years.
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What Is It Like to Live in a Polar Base?
A polar research station is like a small town in the ice! It has bedrooms, a kitchen, labs, a gym, and places to relax. Scientists, cooks, mechanics, and doctors all live and work together.
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Where Do Polar Stations Get Their Electricity?
Most polar stations make electricity with generators that burn special fuel! Some also use sunshine and wind, when they can. Every drop of fuel has to be shipped in, so energy is precious.
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Where Does Drinking Water Come From When Everything Is Frozen?
Even where everything is frozen, polar stations make their own drinking water! There is plenty of ice, but there are no taps. So crews melt clean ice and snow, or take water from the sea.
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What Do Polar Scientists Eat All Winter?
Polar scientists eat well all winter, thanks to careful planning! Chefs plan the menus months ahead and store lots of frozen, canned, and dried food. Some stations even grow fresh greens indoors.
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What Happens to Trash in Antarctica?
In Antarctica, nothing is left behind! There are strict rules: stations must take their waste back out. That keeps the cleanest continent clean.
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Why Was Halley Vi Research Station Built on Giant Skis?
Halley VI sits on a floating ice shelf in Antarctica, where snow keeps piling up and ice keeps moving! So its builders put the station on giant skis and legs. That way it can rise up and move away.
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Why Are Some Polar Buildings Built Up on Stilts?
Some polar buildings stand on stilts so they do not melt the ground or get buried! In places with permafrost, a heated building can melt the frozen ground below it. Then it would sink or tilt.
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How Do Polar Scientists Call Home?
Polar scientists call home using radio and satellites! Signals travel up to a satellite and back down to Earth. Near the poles, that can be a little slow.
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How Do Polar Travelers Stay Safe?
Polar travelers stay safe by training first, planning well, and never going alone! They carry the right gear and always tell the station where they are going. Safety is the first rule of every polar trip.
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Why Do Batteries and Metal Act Strangely in Extreme Cold?
Extreme cold changes how things work, especially batteries and some materials! Cold slows the chemical reactions that make a battery work, just like cold honey flows slowly. So phones and flashlights can drain fast.
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Why Do Eyelashes and Beards Get Frosty in the Cold?
Frosty eyelashes and beards come from your own warm breath! Your breath is full of invisible water vapor, which is water in the form of a gas. When it meets freezing air, it turns into tiny ice crystals.
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Why Do Scientists Put Giant Telescopes at the South Pole?
The South Pole is a super place for telescopes! It is high, very cold, and extremely dry, so the air is clear and steady. And the ice itself can become part of the instrument.
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How Do Weather Balloons Help Polar Scientists?
Weather balloons carry instruments high into the sky for polar scientists! Station staff release them every day. The instruments measure the air as the balloon climbs.
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What Is a Research Ship That Spends a Year Frozen in the Ice?
It is a research ship that froze into the Arctic ice on purpose and drifted for about a year! The German ship Polarstern did this in 2019, so scientists could study the Arctic through every season.
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What Are Ice Roads?
Ice roads are roads made right on top of frozen lakes and rivers in winter! In northern Canada, the ice gets thick enough to carry heavy trucks. When spring comes, the road melts away.
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Why Do Compasses Go Haywire Near the Poles?
A compass points to Earth's magnetic poles, and those are not the same as the geographic poles! Near the magnetic North Pole, the needle can tilt and wander. That is why explorers use more than a compass.
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Can You Grow Vegetables in the Polar Winter?
Yes, you can grow vegetables in the polar winter, if you grow them indoors! Some polar stations have special greenhouses with glowing pink lights. The plants never need sunshine or soil.
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How Do Supplies Reach the Bottom of the World?
Supplies reach the bottom of the world by ship, plane, and long overland tractor trips! Each way has its own job, and the weather decides the schedule. Together, they keep the stations running.
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Why Does Old Glacier Ice Fizz and Pop When It Melts?
Old glacier ice fizzes and pops because it holds tiny bubbles of ancient air! Those bubbles were squeezed in when the ice formed, under high pressure. When the ice melts, the air bursts free.
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How Do Satellites Measure Ice From Space?
Satellites measure ice from space using laser light and radar! They time how long a signal takes to bounce back from the ground. That tells scientists how high the ice is.
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How Do Scientists Use GPS to Watch Ice Move?
Scientists place GPS stations on glaciers to watch how the ice moves! Each station records its own position, all the time. So scientists can see exactly how far it travels.
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How Can Radar See Through Ice?
Radar can see through ice because radio waves travel through it! The waves bounce off the rock below and come back as echoes. Timing the echoes shows how thick the ice is.
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Are There Lakes Hidden Under Antarctic Ice?
Yes! Hundreds of lakes are hidden deep under the Antarctic ice! The water stays liquid even though the surface is freezing. Lake Vostok is under more than 2 miles of ice.
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Is There a Volcano in Antarctica?
Yes! Antarctica has a volcano, and it is still active! Mount Erebus on Ross Island is the southernmost active volcano on Earth. Mount Erebus is about 12,400 feet tall.
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Why Are Melt Ponds on Ice So Bright Blue?
Melt ponds are bright blue because water soaks up red light and scatters blue light! The white ice below bounces the light back up. That makes the pools glow like swimming pools.
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What Is a Moulin?
A moulin is a deep, narrow shaft in a glacier where meltwater pours down! The word moulin means mill in French. It acts like a giant drain in the ice, carrying water to the bottom.
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Why Does Melting Land Ice Raise Sea Level but Melting Sea Ice Does Not?
Melting land ice raises sea level, but melting sea ice hardly does! Sea ice already floats in the water, and it takes up as much space as it weighs. Ice on land is not in the water yet.
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Why Does White Ice Help Cool the Planet?
White ice works like a giant mirror for the planet! Bright snow and ice reflect most of the sunlight that hits them, like a mirror does. That sends the heat back into space.
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Why Are the Poles Warming Faster than the Rest of the World?
Scientists measure that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet. One big reason is a loop, where melting ice leads to even more melting. Researchers keep measuring to understand how it all fits together, and they share what they learn calmly and carefully.
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What Happens to Seals and Seabirds When Sea Ice Shrinks?
Seals, seabirds, and other animals use sea ice, so changes in the ice mean changes for them. When the ice forms later or melts earlier, animals may need to adapt. Scientists watch carefully to learn how they are doing.
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What Is the Difference Between Old and New Arctic Ice?
New Arctic ice formed this winter, and old ice has survived at least one summer. They look different, and they act differently too. Scientists keep track of how much of each there is.
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Can a Flower Bloom Again After 30,000 Years Frozen?
Yes! Scientists grew a flower from a fruit that was frozen for about 30,000 years! It was buried in frozen ground in Siberia, by an Ice Age squirrel.
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How Do Time-Lapse Cameras Watch Glaciers?
Time-lapse cameras turn slow glacier changes into a fast movie! They take a photo every hour for years. Then scientists play the pictures back quickly.
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How Do Seals Help Scientists Study the Ocean?
Seals help scientists by carrying tiny sensors into places no ship can go! The sensors measure the ocean while the seal swims and dives. Then they send the data to scientists by satellite.
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How Do Robots and Flying Machines Help Scientists on the Ice?
Robots and flying machines go where it is too cold or risky for people! They send back pictures and measurements to the scientists. That helps scientists learn more, and stay safe.
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How Can Kids Help Scientists Count Penguins?
Kids can help count penguins from anywhere in the world, with a grown-up's help! Cameras in Antarctica take thousands of pictures of penguin colonies, all year long. Online volunteers help look at the photos.
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What Jobs Do People Do in Polar Science?
Polar science takes a whole team, with many different jobs, and maybe one is perfect for you! Some people study ice, some study the sea, and some study animals. Others keep everyone fed, healthy, and safe.
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Why Must Visitors Wash Their Boots Before Entering Polar Places?
Visitors wash their boots to keep tiny hitchhikers out of polar places! Seeds, spores, and germs can ride along on boots and clothes. Polar nature is special, and it needs our protection.
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What Can Kids Do to Take Care of Icy Places?
Kids can take care of icy places with small, steady habits! You can learn, share, save energy, and care for nature near home. Every small step shows you care.
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Do Other Planets Have Polar Ice Caps?
Yes! Other planets have polar ice caps too! Mars has bright white caps at its north and south poles. Mars's polar caps grow and shrink with the seasons.
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What Is a Whiteout?
A whiteout is when snow, clouds, and bright light blend together so everything looks white! The ground, the sky, and the horizon all look the same. It can be very confusing and even a little scary.
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