We explain what the South Pole is, what its climate is like, the flora and fauna it presents. Also, what are scientific research centers.
The South Pole is located in Antarctica, the southernmost continent in the world.
What is the South Pole?
The South Pole is the southernmost point on the Earth’s surface. Its latitude and longitude are 90 degrees south and 0 degrees east (90°0’0”S 0°0’0”E). All meridians converge at this point and, together with the North Pole, It is the point on the earth’s surface furthest from the ecuador.
It is the point opposite the North Pole. An imaginary line can be drawn between the poles, which is the axis of rotation of the planet.
The South Pole is located on the southernmost continent in the world, the AntarcticaUnlike the North Pole, the territories near the South Pole were never colonized. In fact, the Antarctic continent was only discovered in the 19th century.
Climate at the South Pole
The climate at the South Pole is one of the most extreme in the world, with temperatures even lower than those at the North Pole.
In summer, temperatures average -25 °C and in winter, temperatures are around -65 °C.. The lowest temperature recorded was -83 °C in 1983 at the Russian base Vostok. The highest temperature recorded was -12.3°C in 2011 at the Amundsen-Scott base.
The seasons at the pole are much more drastic than on the rest of the planet. During winter and autumn at the South Pole the sun does not appear above the horizon. for several months, resulting in a long period of darkness and very intense cold. As spring and summer approach, the sun gradually appears above the horizon, resulting in a progressive light that lasts several months continuously, without darkening during the nights.
At the South Pole the year is divided into a long day (with periods of constant sunlight) and a long night (very cold and dark). Because of this, At the South Pole, time cannot be determined by the position of the sun in the sky.. That is why it was arbitrarily established that the official time of the South Pole is that of New Zealand.
Flora of the South Pole
The flora of the South Pole features fungi, lichens, mosses and algae.
There is no vegetation at the South Pole due to extreme weather conditionsTemperatures are too low for plants to grow, and the ground is covered in ice and snow all year round.
Although there are no plants, there are some life forms that have managed to adapt to the extreme conditions of Antarctica and the South Pole, such as lichens and algae. These organisms grow on rocks, ice and snow, and can survive the extremely low temperatures of the South Pole. This vegetation is located mainly in coastal areas, that is, relatively far from the exact Pole.
South Pole Fauna
Among its fauna, five species of Antarctic penguin stand out.
The fauna of the South Pole is also limited by extreme climatic conditions. In Antarctica the Vertebrate animals They are found exclusively in coastal areasrelatively far from the South Pole. These include Antarctic penguins, seabirds, fish, seals and whales, among others.
Far from the coasts, invertebrates such as mites and Antarctic flies can be found, which extend up to a distance of 500 km from the South Pole.
The first explorers of the South Pole
The first group of explorers to reach the South Pole was led by the Norwegian Roald Amundsen and arrived at their destination on December 14, 1911. The group of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott arrived a month later. Scott and four of his companions died on the return trip.
The first people to fly over the South Pole were explorer Richard Byrd and his pilot Bernt Balchen on November 29, 1929. Nearly thirty years later, on October 31, 1956, a US Navy group led by George Dufek managed to land and touch down at the South Pole.
The Amundsen-Scott base
Amundsen-Scott Base is a scientific research station located at the South Pole. It was established by the United States in 1956 and is named after explorers Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott, who were the first to reach the South Pole. This base is one of the three research stations that the United States has in Antarctica.
It is located approximately 100 meters from the South Pole, but that distance increases over time as the base is on floating ice that is slowly moving away from the Pole.
It is an important scientific research center in Antarctica. and is dedicated to a wide variety of research in areas such as meteorology, glaciology, atmospheric physics and astrophysics. Important discoveries have been made there that have contributed to the knowledge of the Earth’s climate and atmosphere, as well as to the study of the universe.
Amundsen-Scott Base It is one of the most remote research stations in the worldPeople working there face extremely harsh weather conditions, with temperatures that can drop below -70°C, strong winds and little sunlight for much of the year.
Despite these challenges, the station remains an important center for scientific research and exploration in Antarctica.
Scientific research at the South Pole
In Antarctica you can see ice, air and even a few animal species.
The South Pole is a place of great interest for scientific research due to its unique characteristics:
- Extreme weatherIt is one of the coldest places on the planet, with temperatures that can reach -80°C. This makes it an ideal area to study the effects of extreme weather on human, animal and plant life.
- Isolated location. Due to its remote location, it is a place isolated from the rest of the world. This makes it an ideal natural laboratory for studying the atmosphere, climate and geological processes without the influence of pollution and human activities.
Some of the research being carried out at the South Pole are:
- astronomical research. Its location, in the center of Antarctica, makes it an ideal place for astronomical observation due to the lack of light pollution and the lack of cloud cover due to its dry climate much of the year.
- Ice research. The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest in the world and contains valuable information about the Earth’s climate and climate history.
- Polar biology researchIt is home to a great diversity of polar life, including bacteria, algae and animals adapted to extreme conditions. This makes it an ideal place to study the evolution and adaptation of life in extreme conditions.
What is the Antarctic Treaty? It is an agreement between thirteen countries that aimed to regulate international relations in Antarctica, including the South Pole. The treaty establishes that the territory of Antarctica may only be used for peaceful purposes. Furthermore, considering that all signatory countries had made territorial claims on the continent, the treaty freezes disputes over territorial sovereignty.
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References
- Britannica (sf). South Pole. Britannica
- Aquae Foundation (2020). The differences between the North Pole and the South Pole. Aquae Foundation
- Juste, I. (2022). What animals live in the North and South Pole?. EcologyGreen