Antarctica Study Guide (Test on 4/1/16)

Short Answer (Write complete sentences to answer these questions)

What is the Antarctic Treaty, and why was it important to the exploration of the continent?

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, the French Republic, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Union
of South Africa, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America. It entered into force in 1961 and has
since been acceded to by many other nations. The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 53.
Some important provisions of the Treaty:
Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only (Art. I)
Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation toward that end shall
continue (Art. II).
Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available
(Art. III).

Why are there only temporary residents in Antarctica?

Only scientists live on Antarctica because of its cold climate and harsh conditions. The average temperature is -56
degrees F.

How do people impact the environment of Antarctica?

Antarctica is often thought of as a pristine land untouched by human disturbance. Unfortunately

this is no longer the case. For a little more than 100 years people have been travelling to
Antarctica and in that short time most parts have been visited and we have left more than just
footprints.
Human impacts include:

harvesting some Antarctic species to the verge of extinction for economic benefit,

killing and disturbing other species,

contaminating the soils, and

discharging sewage to the sea and leaving rubbish, cairns and tracks in even the most
remote parts.

Department of the Environment, Australian Antarctic Division

What is the McMurdo Station?

McMurdo Station is the largest Antarctic station. McMurdo is built on the bare volcanic rock of
Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island, the solid ground farthest south that is accessible by ship.
The station was established in December 1955. It is the logistics hub of the U.S. Antarctic
Program, with a harbor, landing strips on sea ice and shelf ice, and a helicopter pad. Its 85 or so
buildings range in size from a small radio shack to large, three-story structures. Repair facilities,
dormitories, administrative buildings, a firehouse, power plant, water distillation plant, wharf,
stores, clubs, warehouses, and the first class Crary Lab are linked by above-ground water, sewer,
telephone, and power lines.
Research is performed at and near McMurdo in aeronomy and astrophysics, biology
and medicine, geology and geophysics, glaciology and glacial geology, and ocean
and climate systems. Participants of the Antarctic Artists and Writers Program are
also work at sites near McMurdo Station.
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National Science Foundation