This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Geographic Geographic Processes in Processes in Polar LandsPolar Lands
Atmospheric Processes in Polar Atmospheric Processes in Polar LandsLands
The energy from the sun which reaches the poles The energy from the sun which reaches the poles is reflected back so:is reflected back so:
a)a) the land surface does not warm upthe land surface does not warm upb)b) the air above the land’s surface does not warm up.the air above the land’s surface does not warm up.
Atmospheric Processes in Polar Atmospheric Processes in Polar LandsLands
Blizzards are Blizzards are prevalent in polar prevalent in polar lands and are also lands and are also known as known as katabatic katabatic winds.winds.
Katabatic winds are Katabatic winds are cold, dense air which cold, dense air which can continually blow can continually blow for weeks.for weeks.
Survival in polar lands may require:Survival in polar lands may require:a)a) the ability to huntthe ability to huntb)b) the ability to migratethe ability to migratec)c) clothes often made from animal skins or clothes often made from animal skins or
furs which must cover exposed skin to furs which must cover exposed skin to prevent frostbiteprevent frostbite
d)d) the ability to build shelter from snow, the ability to build shelter from snow, stone or sodstone or sod
e)e) use of dog sleds and kayaks.use of dog sleds and kayaks.
Many species of Many species of seals, particularly seals, particularly leopard seals in leopard seals in Antarctica feed Antarctica feed on penguins, fish, on penguins, fish, squid and other squid and other seals.seals.
Geomorphic Processes in Polar Geomorphic Processes in Polar LandsLands
The harsh climate The harsh climate has a great has a great influence on the influence on the shape of the Arctic shape of the Arctic and Antarctica.and Antarctica.
Ice covers the Ice covers the Antarctic continent Antarctic continent and its average and its average depth is 2500 depth is 2500 metres.metres.
Geomorphic Processes in Polar Geomorphic Processes in Polar LandsLands
The weight of The weight of the ice the ice coverage forms coverage forms glaciersglaciers which which slowly erode slowly erode the land as the land as they slide down they slide down the mountains the mountains towards the towards the oceans.oceans.
Geomorphic Processes in Polar Geomorphic Processes in Polar LandsLands
Ice bergs Ice bergs form when the floating ice shelves break form when the floating ice shelves break away.away.
The cold temperature in winter also freezes the The cold temperature in winter also freezes the ocean and causes the growth of ocean and causes the growth of sea icesea ice..
Geomorphic Processes in Polar Geomorphic Processes in Polar LandsLands
Katabatic windsKatabatic winds carry ice particles carry ice particles and have an and have an erosive effect on erosive effect on the landscape.the landscape.
The shapes The shapes created by winds created by winds in the ice are in the ice are known as known as sastrugi.sastrugi.
Hydrologic Processes in Polar Hydrologic Processes in Polar LandsLands
The ice which The ice which covers the covers the Antarctic land Antarctic land mass can be up to mass can be up to 5 kilometres thick.5 kilometres thick.
The ice stores The ice stores nearly 70% of the nearly 70% of the earth’s fresh earth’s fresh water.water.
Hydrologic Processes in Polar Hydrologic Processes in Polar LandsLands
The waters which The waters which surround the polar surround the polar lands are rich with lands are rich with marine life, both marine life, both plants and animals, plants and animals, due to the high due to the high oxygen levels.oxygen levels.