when did explorers first approach Antarctica?
1520
how much of Antarctica does east take up?
two thirds
what type of rocks is Antarctica made up of?
igneous and metamorphic rocks
what supercontinent did Antarctica come from?
Gondwana
how thick can the ice get in east Antarctica?
up to 5km thick
what percent of Antarctica is covered in ice?
99%
which british naval officer found land beyond the south pole?
James Cook
why is the east side more stable?
there is more bedrock and the shape is smoother
how many meteorites were found in Antarctica?
over 10,000
about how long ago did Antarctica form?
34 million years ago
what seperates east and west Antarctica?
the Transantarctic mountains
what are some ores in Antarctica?
coal, iron, nickel, copper
what year was The Antarctic Treaty established?
1959
west Antarctica is in between what?
the Ross sea and the Weddell sea
how many square km does the ice on Antarctica cover?
14 million square km