Journal Entry

I'm so close to the North Pole right now, but I keep thinking about Antarctica! I spent part of my training day today learning about some of Antarctica's extreme conditions:

  • 98% of Antarctica is covered with ice. My research team and I are going to the Dry Valleys in October- one of the only places that is not covered with ice! There will be ice frozen over the lakes, but the area is snow-free. I guess its called the "Dry Valleys" for a reason!
  • 70% of the world's fresh water is stored as ice in Antarctica. If it all melted, it would raise sea levels around the globe by 70 meters! Climate records indicate that at times in the past, some of this ice melts periodically, but its unlikely that all of it will melt. Thank goodness!
  • the area of the continent doubles seasonally every year as the sea ice extends out over the ocean.
  • some of the landmass under the Antarctic ice sheets is actually below sea level! It was only very recently that researchers have made significant discoveries of the under-ice formations, and are now wondering how these geographic features will interact with the atmosphere and cryosphere (ice) in this dynamic and complex continent.

http://

There are so many opportunities for research in Antarctica. I've been given the opportunity to go to one of the most strange places you can be while still on our planet! How lucky am I?

Now You Try It

Do a little reading up of your own. Find a fun fact about Antarctica not mentioned here, and explain why it made you scratch your head. What other questions does it make you wonder about?

Comments

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 21:25

Guest

Dear Mrs. Coleman,
I apologize for not correctly posting my name. I had placed it in the part of the comment where is says to write your name, but it didn't show up when I pressed save.

Sincerely,
Sage Chavez

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 22:31

Guest

I really enjoyed this journal and found it really fascinating. I found it really cool that you were able to learn/experience these extreme conditions and that you're able to share this with us. I had no idea that there are areas of Antarctica that didn't have either snow or ice covering it. Has snow or ice ever covered those areas of land? Is their a specific reason why they don't? I also didn't know that if all of the ice melted in Antarctica it would cause Earth's sea levels to rise by 70 meters! I think we really need that water considering the fact that were in a drought. I'm excited to see more journals and can't wait to hear about your trip to Antarctica this fall.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 22:57

Guest

Emilia B. Period 2
I was very surprised to learn that 98% of Antarctica is covered in ice and that the area you will be studying will be ice and snow free. Despite it's name I expected it to be covered in snow year round. It is Antarctica after all! Although you mentioned the lack of ice, I am curious if there is any possibility it may still become a prominent feature during your studies. I had previous knowledge that I've melting in the Antarctic would raise sea levels drastically, but I had no idea that most of our fresh water was from there. I do not have a source for this, so there is a high possibility it is not quite accurate, but I have heard that if the ice were to melt Florida would be completely submerged in water due to it's low elevation and how close it is to sea level. I do hope to hear more of your findings in the future!

Tue, 02/18/2014 - 18:46

Guest

One fact I found was that because amtarctica gets so little rain. It is concidered a desert. I never wuld have thought that a continent with so much water could ever be concidered a desert. But it dose make sense.

Tue, 02/18/2014 - 18:46

Guest

One fact I found was that because amtarctica gets so little rain. It is concidered a desert. I never wuld have thought that a continent with so much water could ever be concidered a desert. But it dose make sense.

Tue, 02/18/2014 - 18:50

Guest

One fact i found was that antarctica is actually concidered a desert due to the lack of rainfall. I never would have thought that a continent with so much water could ever be concidered a desert but it makes sense.

Tue, 02/18/2014 - 21:04

Guest

I really enjoyed your journal entry. I was very shocked from many of the facts especially when it said that our continent doubles seasonally every year because ice extends over the ocean. I found that very hard to believe because I didn't think the continent could double but the video really helped me understand. Many of the facts really surprised me! I did some digging of my own to find some more fun facts that made me scratch my head and I found a lot. It was so shocking that when I read that because at Antarctica experiences such little rain it is considered a desert. Normally when I picture a dessert I imagine sand and cactus but Antarctica because it never rains it's actually considered a desert. I was also really shocked to read that Antarctica has the lowest temperature ever recorded on the earth which is -89°C (128°F). I was also reading about the harsh living conditions of Antarctica but was shocked to find out how many animals and plants has a have adapted to the icy coldness of Antarctica. 90% of the ice all over the world is from Antarctica and the word Antarctica comes from the Greek word meaning opposite of the north. I was so shocked to find out all these fun facts and I really enjoy learning about Antarctica. It sounds like a fun place to go even though it's really cold. Thanks for sharing your journal with us Mrs. Coleman!!

Tue, 02/18/2014 - 21:06

Guest

I tried to put my name instead of guest but it didn't work. This is Jordan Brown Period 5. Sorry.

Tue, 02/18/2014 - 21:06

Guest

I tried to put my name instead of guest but it didn't work. This is Jordan Brown Period 5. Sorry.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 14:56

Guest

I like how you used very interesting not vague words to describe Antarctica's weather . I also like how you went in to detail about the Antarctic coldness to emphasize how cold it was there. Another thing I liked was how you told facts about Antarctica
James Grigsby
Period.3

Tue, 02/11/2014 - 09:56

Carol Scott

Hi Lucy! Good job on the journals :) Welcome to Fairbanks, glad we could have a cold snap going for your stay here. Heck, and it is not even a super-cold, cold snap!
One thing that surprised me about Antarctica was learning that there are liquid lakes under the ice cap in some places.

Cheers -- hope to see you later today.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 15:50

Guest

I love the interesting facts that you put in your journal entries. I didn't even know that the area of the continent doubles seasonally every year. Great facts to know awesome job!

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 16:26

Guest

Wow, those are really cool facts. I knew that if Antarctica melted that the sea levels would rise, but I did know how much. Finding out that the sea levels could raise 70 feet, if the entire continent of Antarctica were to melt, is shocking. The video was very informational too, to see how detailed the images became from the "Bedmap 1" to "Bedmap 2" was interesting because it seemed that the difference in the images was caused by the growth in our modern technology. Great Journal post Mrs. Coleman!

Tue, 02/11/2014 - 21:05

Lucy Coleman

Carol-
Thanks for your comment! The liquid lakes are really astonishing! They are so hard to get to that we are just recently beginning to learn about them.

It's really good to see you again in your lovely city!

Lucy

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 17:54

Guest

Wow, the facts that you are learning about the Antarctic are so cool and extremely interesting! A couple of them really popped out to me! I had no idea that there were any parts of Antarctica that were completely dry; I thought all of it was ice! Do you know why certain areas are dry but not others? Is it hotter in those areas? I also found it really surprising that more than half of the earth's fresh water is frozen and trapped in Antarctica's land! We could use some of that right now in the drought! Just kidding, I am glad to hear that it is unlikely for the ice in Antarctica to melt. It just really surprised me that 70% of the worlds fresh water is contained/frozen in one area! All in all, you are learning and teaching a lot already, and I hope you provide more and more interesting knowledge throughout your exciting journey! Thanks for sharing!

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 17:55

Guest

Sorry, It didn't let me add my name to the above comment. It's Olivia O Period 5.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:09

Guest

I loved the specificity of this journal and the intriguing facts that you included. One fact i found was that Antarctica is actually considered a desert due to the lack of rainfall. I never would have thought that a continent with so much water could ever be considered a desert but it makes sense. I was enthralled that Antarctica alone has half of the worlds fresh water. I was also interested that the continent doubles in size. I would never have thought about that. This journal was awe inspiring.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:21

Guest

I think that its really cool how almost 100% of Antarctica is covered by ice. It seems really amazing to me that all that ice if it melts could affect the world so much. But what I am a little confused on is if most of Antarctica is covered with ice and snow how could the dry valleys not have any snow or ice at all? The fact that 70% of the worlds fresh water is stored in that ice is actually a little scary, because it really makes you think of how little fresh water we have actually. I really liked this journal entry, good job Mrs. Coleman.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:37

Guest

I am fascinated about how much of the ice is water and its 70% of the earths fresh water, also about how almost 100% of Antarctic is all ice. I am wondering about the words dry valleys because when you think about Antarctica you think like ice and penguins maybe the Dry Valley's are the other 2%? Keep doing what your doing Mrs. Coleman because all your journal entries are magnificent!

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:40

Guest

I thought this journal entry was very interesting. The thing that suprised me was that Antarctica gets very little rain. But I guess it doesn't need rain when 98% of it is covered in ice. I also like how there are fun facts to learn about Antarctica and thought it was cool that if all of the ice melt it will raise the sea levels by 70 meters. I loved all the details in the entry and a video to show a visual on Antarctica. Good job Ms. Coleman.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:41

Guest

I thought this journal entry was very interesting. The thing that suprised me was that Antarctica gets very little rain. But I guess it doesn't need rain when 98% of it is covered in ice. I also like how there are fun facts to learn about Antarctica and thought it was cool that if all of the ice melt it will raise the sea levels by 70 meters. I loved all the details in the entry and a video to show a visual on Antarctica. Good job Ms. Coleman.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:43

Guest

Valerie T period 5

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:50

Guest

I really wish you luck on your trip. After all, not many people get the chance to go to Antarctica, especially the most interesting part of the icy continent. When I was reading the facts and I read that only one percent of Antarctica wasn't covered in ice, I was thinking,"That would be really cool if she was going to that one percent,", and you are! Besides congratulating you, I also want to say that I didn't just see the facts as parts of your trip, but were really interesting! I never knew many of the facts, in particular that most of Antarctica is actually below sea level! That blows my mind, though I guess it would make sense since the above section is all ice. By the way, good luck and have fun!!

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:59

Guest

Mrs. Coleman-
I thought that this journal was cool, and also had some fun facts about the place! The most interesting thing to me is the info about how the ice and snow is in Antarctica. I thought it made sense that almost all of it is covered with ice, but I didn't know it actually held so much water! Also, I thought that the ice was saltwater, not freshwater! I also found interesting was the fact that some of the landmass is below sea level. Are these underground formations, or are parts of the surface of Antarctica below sea level? Finnally, I knew that icebergs go way below into the ocean, but I found interesting that it kept going, and that the area doubled each year!

Wed, 02/12/2014 - 09:51

Alex Eilers

Hello Lucy!

Enjoying your journals and wishing you all the best on your amazing adventure!

Alex Eilers
PolarTREC teacher 2012 and 2014

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 19:21

Guest

I really like how u have a lot of interesting and great scensory details, it really makes the journal more interesting and I don't get bored reading it. I also like how it wasn't too long, I didn't lose interest. The video is really cool and that was a nice add on to the article. Thank you.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 19:22

Guest

I really like how u have a lot of interesting and great scensory details, it really makes the journal more interesting and I don't get bored reading it. I also like how it wasn't too long, I didn't lose interest. The video is really cool and that was a nice add on to the article. Thank you.

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 19:23

Guest

The one above is mine, sorry

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 19:34

Guest

I really liked how you included a lot of very interesting facts and statistics. I found it really interesting that you are in the two percent of Antarctica that isn't covered in ice, and is completely dry. I am interested to know what causes dry valleys. If you find our on your research expedition, I would love to know. Sincerely,
Niam-Anthony H.

Wed, 02/12/2014 - 11:18

Michelle Brown

I'm so excited for you! Here's a fun fact about Antarctica: a liter of water costs about $20 (as far as I remember) at the South Pole Station, but is not nearly as expensive at McMurdo station. Can anyone figure out why?

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 20:36

Guest

I think it's SO cool that you get to go to one of the only places that isn't covered with snow! I thought that all of antarctica was covered in snow, but to learn that there is 2% that isn't is pretty cool. It's also a good thawing that antarctica holds at least 70% of the fresh water we have today as ice or else the ocean levels would seriously rise, and that might not be good for some communities. Awesome Sauce :3!

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 20:37

Guest

*face palm* why you do this to me computer. sorry that last one is by Cammy S Period 2

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 21:17

Guest

Why were you thinking about a place other then where you where at?

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 21:21

Guest

Dear Mrs. Coleman, Hi Mrs. Coleman,
Fun Fact: Antarctica is best place to find Meteorites! Since 1970, there have been more than 16,000 meteorites discovered in Antarctica, a few up to 700,000 years old, including the first identified meteorites from mars and the moon!
I found your fun facts quite interesting especially the one saying Antarctica holds 70 percent of the worlds fresh water. Its fascinating that Antarctica is fresh water. I find it curious that Antarctica, being in the middle of the salt water ocean, is covered in fresh water ice. Where did Antarctica's freshwater ice originate from? I tried to research the answer but I was unable to find a site that has a full explanation. If you happen to know or find out the answer I would love to know!

Sincerely,
Sage Chavez