Geographic Processes in Polar Lands Atmospheric Processes Biotic Processes Geomorphic Processes Hydrologic Processes © Karen Devine 2010

Geographic Geographic Processes in Processes in Polar LandsPolar Lands

Atmospheric ProcessesAtmospheric ProcessesBiotic ProcessesBiotic Processes

Geomorphic ProcessesGeomorphic ProcessesHydrologic ProcessesHydrologic Processes

© Karen Devine 2010

Atmospheric Processes in Polar Atmospheric Processes in Polar LandsLands

Antarctica is Antarctica is the coldest the coldest place on place on earth. earth.

The lowest The lowest recorded recorded temperature temperature is -89.6° C.is -89.6° C.



Wind speeds Wind speeds in Antarctica in Antarctica can be 320 can be 320 km/hr. km/hr.

This This contributes to contributes to the the wind chill wind chill factorfactor. .



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.



High pressure High pressure systemssystems are are predominant in predominant in the poles so the poles so there is:there is:

a)a) little precipitationlittle precipitation

b)b) generally fine, generally fine, sunny weather.sunny weather.



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.



Winds Winds erodeerode the landscape of the the landscape of the poles. poles.


Biotic Processes in Polar LandsBiotic Processes in Polar Lands

The harsh The harsh conditions make it conditions make it difficult for living difficult for living things to survive.things to survive.

The The permafrostpermafrost prevents any trees prevents any trees from growing.from growing.

Small plants are still Small plants are still able to survive the able to survive the harsh conditions.harsh conditions.


HumansHumans

Some indigenous Some indigenous people’s live in polar people’s live in polar lands for instance:lands for instance:

a)a) the Sami the Sami Communities of Communities of EuropeEurope

b)b) the Inuit of Northern the Inuit of Northern Canada.Canada.


HumansHumans

Antarctica has no Antarctica has no indigenous people. indigenous people.

Antarctica’s human Antarctica’s human temporary residents temporary residents are either explorers are either explorers or scientists.or scientists.


HumansHumans

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.


PenguinsPenguins

Chinstrap penguinsChinstrap penguins Adelie penguinsAdelie penguins Magellanic Magellanic

penguinspenguins Emperor penguins Emperor penguins

are the only birds are the only birds to breed in to breed in Antarctica.Antarctica.


KrillKrill

Shrimp-like Shrimp-like animal which is animal which is vital in the vital in the Antarctic food Antarctic food chain.chain.


WhalesWhales

OrcasOrcas HumpbacksHumpbacks Sperm whalesSperm whales Whales feed on Whales feed on

krill, fish, octopus in krill, fish, octopus in the Southern and the Southern and Arctic Oceans.Arctic Oceans.


SealsSeals

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.


BirdsBirds

Snow Petrels feed on Snow Petrels feed on krill.krill.

Arctic terns migrate Arctic terns migrate between both polar between both polar regions.regions.

Magellanic Penguins Magellanic Penguins migrate between South migrate between South America and Antarctica.America and Antarctica.

BirdsBirds

Southern Giant Petrels Southern Giant Petrels are the scavengers of are the scavengers of polar lands.polar lands.

Albatrosses are known to Albatrosses are known to travel thousands of travel thousands of kilometres in search of kilometres in search of food.food.

Skua are like “seagulls”, Skua are like “seagulls”, preying on eggs and preying on eggs and chicks of other birds.chicks of other birds.


BearsBears

Polar bears are Polar bears are only found in the only found in the Arctic where they Arctic where they feed on fish and feed on fish and 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.



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.



When glaciers When glaciers spill into the spill into the ocean they ocean they form form ice ice sheetssheets or or ice ice shelves.shelves.



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..



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

Polar lands are Polar lands are the driest places the driest places on earth.on earth.

Precipitation and Precipitation and humidity are very humidity are very low at the poles. low at the poles.

It is simply too It is simply too cold for it to rain.cold for it to rain.



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.



The water contained The water contained at the poles is in the at the poles is in the form of:form of:

a)a) glaciersglaciers

b)b) ice shelvesice shelves

c)c) ice bergsice bergs

d)d) sea icesea ice

e)e) pack icepack ice

f)f) ice sheets.ice sheets.



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.


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Geographic Processes in Polar Lands Atmospheric Processes Biotic Processes Geomorphic Processes Hydrologic Processes © Karen Devine 2010