Secrets of Antarctica: Once Green, Now Frozen

Antarctica is currently known for its vast, icy landscape, but it holds a rich history of being a green continent teeming with life, including dinosaurs. Discovered as recently as 1820, this immense landmass is twice the size of the United States and contains 60% of Earth's fresh water, yet paradoxically, it is classified as the world's biggest desert due to its lack of vegetation and moisture. Despite temperatures averaging around -30 degrees Celsius, Antarctica is home to a diverse range of species like penguins, seals, and a unique ecosystem thriving beneath layers of ice. The continent is divided into East and West Antarctica, with the western part under threat from rising temperatures, risking significant sea-level rise that could engulf coastal cities worldwide. Researchers from around the globe inhabit Antarctica, governed by a treaty ensuring peaceful collaboration for scientific study. Beneath its ice lies a treasure trove of geological secrets, including mountains higher than the Burj Khalifa and expansive lakes like Lake Vostok, created by immense pressure and low melting points of ice. As the world recognizes the significance of this frozen land, efforts to understand climate impacts and preservation of its unique environment continue.