Why is Antarctica important?

Answer 1

the two main reasons to research Antarctica is first, the ice under the surface is a time-line of the earth's atmosphere. Antarctica is a dessert and little precipitation and allows for a graphic time-line when drilled out in cores. Secondly, the atmosphere around the poles is important in measuring the global warming and the fear of the rising oceans because of glacial melting.

Answer 2

because it has ALOT of coal,gold,copper, etc. there. plus, research and all that ya know

Another Answer

Antarctica is protected as a continent dedicated to science. Scientists from countries representing 80% of the earth's population study the health of planet earth there.

Answer 3

The Antarctic continent is one of the harshest and most inhospitable places on earth, yet despite this a myriad of species manage to survive in the desolate landscape. By contrast, the surrounding ocean abounds with life, as nutrient rich water wells up from the depths.

The ice cap in the center of the continent holds over half of the worlds freshwater. From it's edges mighty glaciers pour across the landscape forming rivers of ice. It is from within these icy depths that scientists hope to un-ravel the secrets of the long-term fluctuations in the earth's climate.

As nations wage war across the planet, Antarctica stands nation-less under the International Antarctic Treaty, to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes in the interests of all mankind. With freedom of scientific investigation Antarctica has become the world's largest laboratory.

Climate change is now recognized as a global phenomenon. In the last 50 years the Antarctic Peninsula has increased about 2.5°C, this is 2 or 3 times faster than averages anywhere else. In the last 5 years numerous large ice shelves, once thought to be stable, have disintegrated into the ocean in a matter of weeks. This observed trend does not bode well for the future. />

A hundred years ago the Antarctic challenge was a race to reach the South Pole. Today the challenge is one of science and stewardship. For it is through scientific exploration that we will come to understand, appreciate and ultimately protect this harsh, yet fragile environment.

Answer 4

The Antarctic continent is one of the harshest and most inhospitable places on earth. By contrast, the surrounding ocean abounds with life, as nutrient rich water wells up from the depths.

The ice cap in the center of the continent holds about seventy percent of the world's freshwater. From its edges mighty glaciers pour across the landscape forming rivers of ice. It is from within these icy depths that scientists hope to un-ravel the secrets of the long-term fluctuations in the earth's climate.

As nations wage war across the planet, Antarctica stands nation-less under the International Antarctic Treaty, to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes in the interests of all mankind in the pursuit of scientific study. With freedom of scientific investigation Antarctica has become the world's largest laboratory.

Climate change is now recognized as a global phenomenon. In the last 50 years the Antarctic Peninsula has increased about 2.5°C, this is two or three times faster than averages anywhere else. In the last five years, numerous large ice shelves, once thought to be stable, have disintegrated into the ocean in a matter of weeks. This observed trend does not bode well for the future.

A hundred years ago the Antarctic challenge was a race to reach the South Pole. Today the challenge is one of science and stewardship. For it is through scientific exploration that we will come to understand, appreciate and ultimately protect this harsh, yet fragile environment.

Answer 5

Antarctica is very important to the world. There are hundreds of species of marine animals that occupy the ocean that surrounds antarctica. It is also one of the last untouched-by-man wildernesses in the world.

The continent occupies 10% of the Earth's surface, and acts as the Earth's heat sink.

Antarctica is the one place on earth dedicated to studying the health of the planet, based on the agreements in The Antarctic Treaty.

Answer 6

All the land south of 60 degrees S has been set aside -- per the Antarctic Treaty -- for the study of the health of planet earth. Governments representing about 80% of the earth's population signed or ratified this treaty. All research is shared among these nations.

There is no other scheme on earth as powerful as this one, in terms of science and its benefit to people and the planet earth.

Answer 7

Research in Antarctica studies the health of planet earth. This is important to all humans on the planet.