Our planet is home to two polar regions: the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Arctic, derived from the Greek word ‘Arktikos’, translates to ‘of the North’, while the Antarctic, from ‘Antarktikos’, means ‘opposite of the North’. However, a simpler way to distinguish between the two is by understanding what surrounds them. The Arctic, located in the Northern Hemisphere, is an ocean entirely surrounded by land. Conversely, the Antarctic, situated at the opposite end of the world, is a continent entirely surrounded by ocean. Hence, the Arctic is home to polar bears but no penguins, while the Antarctic houses penguins but no polar bears.
The Arctic region comprises a vast, ice-covered ocean surrounded by treeless permafrost. This area is defined as the region between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole. Standing at the North Pole, every direction you look towards is south. However, standing at the North Pole is challenging due to its location in the middle of an ocean, covered by constantly shifting, frozen sea ice. If you were to fall into the water at the North Pole, you’d plunge into water that’s 13,980 feet deep. Above the water, average winter temperatures can plummet to as low as -40 degrees Celsius, with the coldest recorded temperature being approximately -68 degrees Celsius. Despite these harsh conditions, humans have populated areas in the Arctic for thousands of years. The Arctic is home to organisms living in the ice, zooplankton and phytoplankton, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals, plants, and human societies.
Antarctica, Earth’s southernmost continent, houses the geographic South Pole. It is the fifth largest continent, nearly twice the size of Australia, with almost 98% of its area covered by ice at least one mile in thickness. Conditions in Antarctica are among the most extreme on the planet. It is the coldest, windiest, driest continent with the highest average elevation of all continents. Contrary to popular belief, Antarctica, due to its dryness, is considered a desert with annual precipitation of only 200 millimeters along the coast and far less inland. The temperature in Antarctica has reached -89 degrees Celsius. Due to its harsh conditions and inaccessibility, there are no permanent human residents on Antarctica. However, between 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the year at research stations scattered across the continent. Only cold-adapted organisms, including many types of algae, animals, bacteria, fungi, plants, and protista, can survive in Antarctica.
There are several reasons why Antarctica is colder than its northern counterpart. Firstly, much of the continent is more than three kilometers above sea level, and temperature decreases with elevation. Secondly, the Arctic is essentially a frozen ocean. The water beneath it is warmer than the frozen ground in the Antarctic, and this warmth is transferred through the ice pack, preventing temperatures in the Arctic regions from reaching the extremes typical of the Antarctic land surface. Lastly, the seasons conspire against the Antarctic. During the aphelion in July, when the Earth is farthest away from the Sun, it also happens to be winter in the Antarctic, which creates a double-whammy of cold for the southern pole.
Despite their inhospitable conditions, the North and South Poles play a crucial role in shaping our planet. Both polar regions are vital climate controllers. They help moderate the temperature in our temperate zones and provide us with stable weather. However, as sea ice in the Arctic declines due to climate change and global warming, weather around the globe becomes increasingly unstable.
Create a detailed map showing the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Label key features such as the Arctic Circle, the North Pole, the Antarctic Circle, and the South Pole. Include illustrations of animals unique to each region, like polar bears in the Arctic and penguins in the Antarctic. This will help you visualize the differences between the two polar regions.
Conduct an experiment to understand why Antarctica is colder than the Arctic. Use two bowls of water, one with ice cubes (representing the Arctic) and one with a frozen solid block of ice (representing Antarctica). Measure and record the temperature of the water in each bowl over time to observe how the presence of liquid water affects temperature.
Choose either the Arctic or Antarctic and research the types of organisms that live there. Create a presentation or a poster that includes information about the animals, plants, and human societies (if any) that inhabit your chosen region. Share your findings with the class to learn about the biodiversity of these extreme environments.
Participate in a classroom debate about the impact of climate change on the polar regions. Divide into two groups: one representing the Arctic and the other representing the Antarctic. Discuss how climate change is affecting each region and propose solutions to mitigate these effects. This activity will help you understand the global significance of the polar regions.
Imagine you are an explorer planning an expedition to either the Arctic or Antarctic. Create a survival plan that includes the clothing, equipment, and supplies you would need to survive in the extreme conditions. Present your plan to the class and explain how each item will help you cope with the challenges of the polar environment.
understanding – the ability to comprehend or grasp information or concepts – She showed a deep understanding of the subject matter during the presentation.
polar regions – the areas near the North and South Poles of the Earth – The polar regions experience extreme cold temperatures and are covered in ice and snow.
planet – a celestial body that orbits around a star, larger than a moon but smaller than a star – Earth is the third planet from the Sun in our solar system.
arctic – relating to or located in the region around the North Pole – The Arctic is known for its frozen landscapes and unique wildlife, such as polar bears.
antarctic – relating to or located in the region around the South Pole – Scientists conduct research in the Antarctic to study the effects of climate change on the polar ice caps.
distinguish – to recognize or differentiate between two or more things – It can be difficult to distinguish between identical twins without close examination.
surrounded – to be encircled or enclosed by something – The island was surrounded by clear blue waters and pristine beaches.
ocean – a vast body of saltwater that covers a large part of the Earth’s surface – The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean in the world.
land – the solid surface of the Earth that is not covered by water – The explorers finally reached land after days of sailing across the open sea.
polar bears – large carnivorous mammals that inhabit the Arctic region and are known for their white fur – Polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt seals, their main source of food.
