1.800.344.6118
{ contact us }

Antarctic vs. Arctic Pole Comparison

South America Amazon Tours Argentina Tours Bolivia Tours Chile Tours Ecuador Tours Falkland Islands Tours Galapagos Tours Galapagos Cruises Patagonia Tours Peru Tours Central America Belize Tours Costa Rica Tours Guatemala Tours Panama Tours Antarctica Antarctica Tours Worldwide Expedition Cruises

Register for an Adventure life Tour
Gift Registry
Family Travel Supplement
Press Kit
Alumni
Employment Opportunities
Questions about a tour? Contact us with your questions.

Technical Problem?
Contact the webmaster
for assistance.

Are you a Travel Agent?
Click here to Contact us.
Adventure Life
800-344-6118 (Toll-free)
406-541-2677 (International)
406-541-2676 (Fax)
E-mail us
1655 S 3rd St. W, Ste 1
Missoula MT, 59801 USA

HOME » Articles » Antarctic vs. Arctic Pole Comparison

Antarctic Vs. Arctic Pole Comparison

While the Earth's polar regions are similar in many ways, the North and South Poles also display stark differences. Here is a brief comparision of the two poles.

Natural Features

Antarctic

  • The Antarctic is a continent surrounded by ocean.
  • Icebergs are calved from glaciers and shelf ice year round, and may measure in excess of 25 cubic miles.
  • The sea ice accumulates annually and more than doubles the size of the continent.
  • Over 97% of the Antarctic landmass is covered by the unbroken South Polar ice sheet.
  • Elevation at the South Pole is 9300 feet above sea level, although the bedrock is only 100 feet above sea level the annual mean temperature at the South Pole is -58°F.

Arctic

  • The Arctic is an ocean surrounded by continents.
  • Icebergs are calved from glaciers and are seasonal. The icebergs are measured in cubic yards.
  • Sea ice accumulates over several years.
  • Land ice is found in limited areas, the largest being the Greenland ice sheet.
  • The elevation at the North Pole is 3 feet of sea ice. The bedrock is located 1400 feet below sea level.
  • The annual mean temperature at the North Pole is 0°F.

Plants and Animals

Antarctic

  • No tundra or tree lines. The subantarctic zone is marked by the Antarctic Convergence.
  • No terrestrial mammals.
  • Marine mammals include whales, porpoises and seals.

Arctic

  • The Tundra is well developed and marked by a tree shrubline.
  • Terrestrial mammals include musk ox, reindeer, caribou, fox, hare, wolf, lemming, bears, and more.
  • Marine mammals include whales, porpoises, seals, and amphibious mammals.

Human Activities

Antarctic

  • No record of primitive humans and no native groups.
  • The population south of 60°S is sparse and occurs at scattered scientific stations.
  • There is no exploitation of terrestrial resources.
  • First crossing of the Antarctic Circle was by James Cook on January 17, 1773.

Arctic

  • There are native people with a long cultural record and ethnic groups on continents all around the Arctic.
  • Human population north of 60°N is in excess of 2 million with modern settlements.
  • There is widespread exploitation of natural resources and technological development.
  • The first crossing of the Artic Circle is prehistoric.

Adapted from: United States National Science Foundation. The United States in Antarctica: Report of the U.S. Antarctic Program External Panel. 1997 [Washington, D.C.]

 

the international ecotourism society
international mountain explorers connection
america outdoors
international association of antarctica tour operators
leave no trace
international galapagos tour operators association
Adventure Life • 1655 S 3rd St. W, Suite 1 • Missoula, MT 59801 • 1-800-344-6118 • Contact Us
:: Site Map ::