Скачать или смотреть Antarctica: The Frozen Continent Unveiled / Documentary (4K)

Antarctica, the 5th largest continent on Earth, is unlike any other place. With no countries, a native population, or land-dwelling animals, it is the coldest, driest, windiest, and iciest place on the planet. This extreme isolation has made it an important location for scientific research and a critical player in understanding climate change. It’s home to only two ATMs and human settlements are limited to research stations where scientists study everything from marine biology to geophysics.

Despite the harsh conditions, Antarctica is teeming with life in its surrounding waters, including Emperor Penguins, Leopard Seals, Blue Whales, and colossal squid. The continent itself is divided into Western and Eastern Antarctica, separated by the massive Transantarctic Mountains. About 98% of its surface is covered by ice, which in some places can be up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) thick!

Interestingly, Antarctica is considered a desert because it receives so little precipitation—less than 2 inches per year in its interior. This may seem surprising given the massive ice coverage, but it highlights just how dry the continent is. Coastal areas do receive more moisture, though it remains cold year-round with temperatures ranging from -128.60°F (-89.20°C) in winter to around 48°F (9°C) in summer.

Antarctica’s ice sheets contain 62% of the Earth’s freshwater and 90% of its ice, playing a crucial role in regulating global temperatures by reflecting solar radiation. However, with the increasing impacts of climate change, Antarctic ice is melting at an alarming rate, contributing to rising sea levels. In 2022, NASA reported the collapse of the Glenzer Conger Ice Shelf, a mass of ice the size of New York, highlighting the urgency of climate action.

While climate change melts some areas, it has caused ice growth in other regions due to stronger polar winds. This unique balance makes Antarctica a key focus in the study of global warming. Join me as I explore the fascinating facts and incredible beauty of this frozen frontier!

Narrator: Larry G. Jones