New Delhi: Every year on December 1, Antarctica Day is observed. It is an international day commemorating the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, which came into effect in 1961. The Treaty marks a significant milestone in the preservation and protection of the continent.
On Antarctica Day, let us look at the history of the day and some interesting facts about Antarctica.
The History of Antarctica Day and the Antarctic Treaty
Humans discovered Antarctica in 1820. After this discovery, several countries tried to claim the continent. As tensions rose, some countries looked for a peaceful solution. On December 1, 1959, delegates from 12 countries met in Washington, DC, to sign the Antarctic Treaty. The countries involved were Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
During the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958, scientists from these countries worked on the continent. This Treaty was the first arms control agreement made during the Cold War. It represented global cooperation during a time of deep division.
The Antarctic Treaty stated that all exploration and research in Antarctica would be for peaceful purposes only. It encouraged cooperation between countries and required that all scientific findings be shared freely. The Treaty also banned any military use of Antarctica or disposal of radioactive waste there.
Antarctica Day was established in 2010 by the Foundation for the Good Governance of International Spaces. The day aims to celebrate the international teamwork that governs Antarctica and encourage teaching about the continent. It was created after the 2009 Antarctic Treaty Summit, which marked the treaty’s 50th anniversary.
Antarctica Day does not have long-standing traditions. Unlike Midwinter Day, people celebrate Antarctica Day more outside the continent than in it. Organisations based outside Antarctica, like National Antarctic Programs or those in gateway cities, often celebrate the day with public events such as talks or movie screenings.
Fascinating Facts About the Antarctic Continent
Antarctica has most of the world’s fresh water. About 60-90 per cent of the world’s freshwater is in Antarctica’s huge ice sheet, which can be up to 4.5 kilometres thick, half the height of Mt Everest. If all this ice melted, global sea levels would rise about 60 metres.
Antarctica is a desert. A desert doesn’t have to be hot or sandy; it just needs to get very little precipitation, like rain or snow. The South Pole averages just over 10 mm of rainfall yearly. While the coast has more precipitation, the whole continent has so little that it is a polar desert.
Antarctica is not only the driest continent but also the coldest, windiest, and highest. The Antarctic Peninsula is warming faster than almost anywhere else on Earth.
There is no specific time zone in Antarctica. At the South Pole, the lines that usually separate time zones all meet at one point. Most of Antarctica experiences 6 months of constant daylight in summer and 6 months of darkness in winter.
The continent has several volcanoes, and two of them are active. One subglacial lake even flows red.
Despite the low precipitation, Antarctica has some interesting weather phenomena, including diamond dust. Diamond dust consists of tiny ice crystals that form from humid air near the ground, looking like icy fog.
Antarctica Day commemorates the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. The day highlights the importance of international collaboration in preserving this unique and fragile ecosystem, rich in freshwater and with surprising weather phenomena, despite being a polar desert. Learn about its history and fascinating facts. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
