Due to its location at the South Pole, Antarctica receives relatively little solar radiation. This means that it is a very cold continent where water is mostly in the form of ice. Precipitation is low (most of Antarctica is a desert) and almost always in the form of snow, which accumulates and forms a giant ice sheet which covers the land. Parts of this ice sheet form moving glaciers known as ice streams, which flow towards the edges of the continent. Next to the continental shore are many ice shelves. These are floating extensions of outflowing glaciers from the continental ice mass. Offshore, temperatures are also low enough that ice is formed from seawater through most of the year. It is important to understand the various types of Antarctic ice to understand possible effects on sea levels and the implications of global cooling. COUNT 5
QSN1 What location means that Antarctica get little solar radiation? ANS1 South Pole QSN2 In what condition is most water in the Antarctica? ANS2 ice QSN3 What is the usual condition of precipitation in the Antarctic? ANS3 snow QSN4 What does the massed snow in Antarctica produce? ANS4 giant ice sheet QSN5 What are ice streams otherwise called? ANS5 glaciers