Antarctica is colder than the Arctic for three reasons. First, much of the continent is more than 3,000 m (9,800 ft) above sea level, and temperature decreases with elevation in the troposphere. Second, the Arctic Ocean covers the north polar zone: the ocean's relative warmth is transferred through the icepack and prevents temperatures in the Arctic regions from reaching the extremes typical of the land surface of Antarctica. Third, the Earth is at aphelion in July (i.e., the Earth is farthest from the Sun in the Antarctic winter), and the Earth is at perihelion in January (i.e., the Earth is closest to the Sun in the Antarctic summer). The orbital distance contributes to a colder Antarctic winter (and a warmer Antarctic summer) but the first two effects have more impact. COUNT 5
QSN1 Which of the the poles is colder? ANS1 Antarctica QSN2 How high is the continent of Antarctica above sea level? ANS2 3,000 m QSN3 How does the Arctic Ocean warm the Arctic? ANS3 warmth is transferred QSN4 What contributes to the Antarctic cold? ANS4 orbital distance QSN5 What does temperature do with elevation? ANS5 decreases