ANTARCTICA DRYER THAN SAHARA

 

Some parts of Antarctica have been free of snow for thousands of years. The almost constant high pressure at the poles, prevent much fresh snowfall. Some parts of Antarctica are as dry of free moisture as the Sahara desert and in some places even drier. Katabatic winds, formed by cold air sinking off the high ice plateau above, blow at high speeds. the wind sinking into the valley below, evaporates any moisture it comes into contact with, exposing just bare rock.

Some of the valleys collect summertime, melting ice that form lakes. These lakes then later freeze solid, but temperatures several meters down have been recorded in excess of 25C (75F). This heating of the water puzzled scientists at first, believing it must be some form of geothermal warming, but tests and research have revealed that it is the sun's rays through the frozen water that heats the water.


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Last Updated: 6th January 2005