polar regions
6 questions tagged polar regions — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Why do some icebergs look blue?
Blue icebergs are made of dense, bubble-free glacial ice that absorbs red light, so mostly blue light is scattered back to our eyes.
Where is the world’s first permanent human settlement in Antarctica?
The first permanent human settlement in Antarctica is generally considered to be Base Esperanza in Hope Bay, on the Antarctic Peninsula. It has been occupied year-round by Argentina since 1952.
Where do emperor penguins breed?
Emperor penguins breed on sea ice around Antarctica. They are the only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter.
Where is the Weddell Sea located?
The Weddell Sea is in the Southern Ocean off Antarctica, east of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is known for sea ice and iceberg fields.
How does sea ice help cool the Arctic and Antarctic?
Sea ice reflects much of the Sun’s energy back to space, keeping polar regions colder. It also insulates the ocean from the air above.
Which place has the thickest known continental ice sheet?
East Antarctica has the thickest continental ice sheet, with ice over 4,000 meters thick in places.