Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 10/17/2008 - 08:10
Forums
Lake Ecosystems in Antarctica

Hi Robin,

We here in Flagstaff read that there is six miles of ice over the continent, how were the mountains formed, and do they come up from the continent through the ice?  Or are some of the mountains formed from ice?

Adios..Giavanna, Sonya, Ricky, Ivan, Kris, Zach, Jesus...and other students.....ECT..

Fri, 10/17/2008 - 10:06

Robin Ellwood

Hello Flagstaff!
Well... you may want to check the source of your information about the ice thickness! My understanding is that the thickest ice measurmeant is somewhere around 15,000 ft - this would be closer to three miles than six. Now - I am NO expert, so I will do some more researching too, but I think the 6 miles may be a bit too thick (that would be over 30,000 feet wouldn't it?)!
The mountains were formed by tectonic activity within the earth's crust. Land masses bumping into each other and trying to move each other out of the way! There are still active volcanos in Antarctica. In fact, Mt. Erebus is the southern most active volcano on the planet; it is "chugging" away right beside McMurdo station! Steam is seen everyday coming out the peak!
There are places, like the TransAntarctic Mountains, where the peaks do come up through the ice cap. This is quite an impressive sight! All of these mountains have been carved, or shaped, by glacial activity, but the ice didn't create the mountains. The ice grinds against the mountains altering there origianl shape!
Hope that helps at least a bit. I'm off to double check the ice thickness; let me know what you find out on your end!
Cheers,
Robin