BIOSCI100 flashcards (MIDTERM)

Landmarks in Antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, South Georgia, Weddell Sea, Ross Sea.

Latitude and Longitude in Antarctica

Prime meridian, 60°S, 90°S.

Environmental Conditions in Antarctica

Polar Day, Antarctic Circle, Antarctic Convergence, Sea-Ice, West-Wind Drift.

Key Figures in the Race for the Pole

Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen.

Expedition Outcomes of Scott and Amundsen

Differences in strategy, preparation, and execution led to Amundsen’s success and Scott’s tragic failure.

Notable Expeditions and Discoveries

James Clark Ross (1839-1841): Ross Ice Shelf; John Balleny (1838-1841): First to land below Antarctic Circle; US Exploring Expedition (1838-1842): Mapped 1500 miles of coastline; Jules Dumont D’Urville: Landed on the continent; John Biscoe: Third circumnavigation of Antarctica.

Definition and Exploration of the South Magnetic Pole

Point where Earth's magnetic field is vertical, moves about 5 km/year.

Key Locations in McMurdo Sound, Ross Island, and Dry Valleys

Mount Erebus, Mount Terror, McMurdo Station, Ross Ice Shelf.

Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration Major Expeditions

1901-1904 British National Antarctic Expedition: Scott, Shackleton, Wilson (82°17'S); 1907-1909 Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition; 1910-1913 Race for the South Pole: Amundsen (Dec 14, 1911), Scott (Jan 17, 1912).

18th Century Exploration

First circumnavigation by Captain James Cook (1772-1775); Mapping of northern islands and parts of Antarctic Peninsula.

Key Events in 20th Century Exploration

Amundsen vs. Scott; Amundsen first to Pole, Scott perished but contributed to science.

Survival Challenges in Antarctica

Cold, Wind, Dryness, Seasonal Light; Heat Loss Mechanisms: Convection, Radiation, Evaporation, Conduction.

Physiological Impacts of Cold

Hypothermia (mild to profound), Frostbite, Sunburn & Snow Blindness.

Wind Chill Index

Combines wind speed and temperature to measure perceived cold.

Nutritional Requirements in Cold Environments

Higher intake of macronutrients and water; Early vs. Modern Diet.

Clothing and Shelter Evolution

Historical vs. Modern clothing; Early shelters vs. Modern bases.

Environmental Constraints on Life

Limited liquid water, seasonal light, low temperature.

Other Survival Factors

Sleep, Transport methods.

Factors Making Antarctica Cold

Solar radiation, high albedo, sea ice extent, latitude, dryness, thermal isolation by ACC.

Weather Patterns in Antarctica

Katabatic winds, oceanic winds, Coriolis Force, Ekman transport.

Ocean Circulation and Antarctic Contribution

Cold, dense Antarctic water downwelling; Role in global temperatures.

Key Geological Time Periods

Cambrian (Ross Orogeny), Devonian (Beacon Supergroup), Permo-Carboniferous Ice Sheet.

Antarctic Landscape and Ice Sheet Evolution

West Antarctic Rift System, Eocene-Oligocene Boundary, Ice Ages.

Milanković Cycles and Ice Core Evidence

Cycles linked to glacial/interglacial periods; Antarctic ice cores provide climate history.

McMurdo Dry Valleys

Largest ice-free region; cold-polar desert; Taylor Valley Lakes (e.g., Lake Fryxell).

Lake Vanda Characteristics

Hypersaline, meromictic, oligotrophic; High nitrogen, limiting phosphorus.

Antarctic Rivers

Onyx River in Wright Valley; Flow to the sea blocked by Wright Lower Glacier.

Subglacial Lakes

Over 400; Formed due to geothermal heat; Example: Lake Vostok.

Antarctic Ice Sheets

EAIS and WAIS; EAIS stable, WAIS vulnerable; Ice sheets can raise sea levels by ~58-60 m.

Ice Sheet Flow Mechanisms

Warm-based glaciers slide on melt film; Cold-based glaciers flow due to internal deformation.

Ice Shelves and Sea Ice

Floating ice sheets; Sea ice expands and acts as barrier; Formation and types of polynyas.