Antarctica

Question 1

What is the climate of Antarctica like and why?

Answer 1

Coldest, driest, windiest place on earth, because it was cut off from all weather systems with no warmth from the north when Pangea separated.

Question 2

How many years ago did ice begin to cover the continent?

Answer 2

25 million years ago

Question 3

How thick is ice cover over entire continent now?

Answer 3

1-3 miles thick

Question 4

By what percentage does the continent expand during winter?

Answer 4

100% due to sea freezing

Question 5

What was the motive for the first 5 landings on Antarctica?

Answer 5

seal hunting

Question 6

Who lead the first expedition and when?

Answer 6

Robert Falcom Scott from British Navy in 1901

Question 7

Who was the first person to reach the North Pole?

Answer 7

Norwegian Armendson 1911, month before Bristish

Question 8

How much has the Antarctic peninsula warmed over the last 50 years?

Answer 8

3 C

Question 9

How much ice shelf has been lost since 1950s?

Answer 9

28 000km squared

Question 10

Why does melting ice threaten krill populations?

Answer 10

Whales can hunt them easier, as they can’t normally breathe under ice, and fishing is easier.

Question 11

Explain the positive feedback with ice.

Answer 11

As ice melts, it gets darker when turned into water, absorbing more heat than light reflective ice would, leading to more melting, then more heating.

Question 12

How much oil is available in Antarctica?

Answer 12

50 billion barrels

Question 13

How many permanent research bases are there? And where are they?

Answer 13

40 on limited breeding ground for many birds

Question 14

How many airports are on Antarctica?

Answer 14

26

Question 15

When did the Argentine navy ship run aground and how many gallons of fuel did this release into sea?

Answer 15

1989, releasing 250,000 gallons

Question 16

When did krill industry start and what are they used for?

Answer 16

1970s for aquaculture feed and pharmaceutical uses

Question 17

When did whaling begin on a large scale?

Answer 17

1904

Question 18

How many humpback, minke and fin whales did Japan catch in 2007 for ‘scientific’ research?

Answer 18

50 humpback, 935 minke, 50 fin

Question 19

When were the earliest paying tourists?

Answer 19

1920s

Question 20

Over how many years has tourism considerably grown?

Answer 20

Last 50 years

Question 21

How many vessels carry tourists for shore visits and special guides?

Answer 21

40

Question 22

How many passengers can the few site seeing vessels carry each?

Answer 22

960

Question 23

How many private yachts are there annually?

Answer 23

1000

Question 24

What is the impact of tourists?

Answer 24

Trample, introduce weeds and diseases, disturb wildlife, pollute, damage sea bed and interrupt scientific research.

Question 25

When was the Convention on the conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources started?

Answer 25

1982

Question 26

What does the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources control?

Answer 26

Commercial fisheries in the southern ocean, working on an ecosystem basis. All vessels fishing in the area must participate in the monitoring system

Question 27

What did seven tour companies form in 1991?

Answer 27

The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators

Question 28

How many companies from how many countries are now in the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators?

Answer 28

99 companies from 16 countries

Question 29

What does the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators do?

Answer 29

Provide prior notification of activities to authorities, assess environmental impact, provide effective response to environmental emergencies, ensure self sufficiency, respect research, prevent waste.

Question 30

When was the Antarctic Treaty signed and by how many countries?

Answer 30

1959, by 12 countries active in the area south of 60 degrees south latitude

Question 31

How many nations have now signed the Antarctic Treaty and what have they signed to do?

Answer 31

52 nations have agreed to consult on uses of Antarctica and commit that it shouldn't become a place of international discord

Question 32

When was the Momatorium made, which controls a ban on whaling?

Answer 32

1982

Question 33

How is the Momatorium enforced?

Answer 33

Greenpeace and other organisations roam to check fishing and ships are checked when they land

Question 34

Why was the Momatorium introduced?

Answer 34

Public was shocked by photograph of a sperm whale that had been harpooned, the demand reduced and whaling was reduced until totally banned

Question 35

How did they decide to provide whales with refuge in 1994 from whaling and a place to recover?

Answer 35

Created the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary

Question 36

What is the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research?

Answer 36

A body of international council for science. They provide international, independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and other bodies

Question 37

What makes the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research powerful?

Answer 37

They have the ability to strike off scientists

Question 38

What is ASOC?

Answer 38

An NGO observer with motivation to persuade strong conservation agendas

Question 39

When was ASOC founded?

Answer 39

1978, during an environmental awareness boost (James Barnes)

Question 40

What did James Barnes publicly release in 1978 and what did it lead to?

Answer 40

Plans of parties in the Antarctic Treaty to extract minerals and gas from Antarctica. Lead to campaigners making France and Australia pull out, and the plans folded

Question 41

ASOC has observer status, so attends treaty meetings but can't do what?

Answer 41

Have no participation in the decision making

Question 42

When was the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty signed?

Answer 42

1991