Antarctica Used to Be a Rainforest
No One Owns Antarctica (The Antarctic Treaty)
Hidden Lakes Buried Under the Ice
Active Volcano With a Lava Lake
Antarctica Wildcards (Bonus Category)
200
Scientists discovered ancient pollen and tree roots showing Antarctica once had this warm, lush environment.
What is a rainforest?
200
This 1959 agreement ensures Antarctica is used only for peace and science.
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
200
Lake Vostok is buried under more than two miles of this frozen substance.
What is ice?
200
Antarctica’s famous active volcano shares its name with a Greek god of darkness.
What is Mount Erebus?
200
This iconic bird is the largest penguin species in Antarctica.
What is the emperor penguin?
400
Antarctica was once warmer because it used to be located closer to this imaginary line around Earth.
What is the equator?
400
The treaty bans military activity, nuclear testing, and this type of resource extraction.
What is mining?
400
Scientists study subglacial lakes using this type of radar that can see through ice.
What is ice‑penetrating radar?
400
Mount Erebus is one of the few volcanoes on Earth with this rare, constantly molten feature.
What is a lava lake?
400
This eerie red waterfall is caused by iron‑rich water oxidizing as it hits the air.
What is Blood Falls?
600
These tall, cone‑bearing plants once grew across prehistoric Antarctica.
What are conifers?
600
Over 50 nations have signed the treaty, making Antarctica the world’s largest example of this type of shared governance.
What is international cooperation?
600
Lake Vostok may contain ancient forms of these tiny organisms.
What are microbes?
600
This island, home to Mount Erebus, sits in the Ross Sea.
What is Ross Island?
600
Meteorites are easy to find in Antarctica because they stand out against this color.
What is white?
800
This geological period, famous for dinosaurs, is when Antarctica’s rainforest thrived.
What is the Cretaceous period?
800
Instead of belonging to a country, Antarctica is designated as this kind of zone.
What is a scientific preserve?
800
These lakes have been sealed off for millions of years, creating environments similar to moons like Europa.
What are subglacial lakes?
800
Mount Erebus is this type of volcano, known for its steep, conical shape.
What is a stratovolcano?
800
This station is Antarctica’s largest research hub and functions like a small town.
What is McMurdo Station?
1000
The discovery of ancient forests in Antarctica helps scientists understand long‑term changes in this global system.
What is Earth’s climate?
1000
This continent is the only one where humans cannot legally claim land, thanks to the treaty.
What is Antarctica?
1000
The movement of Antarctica’s ice sheet helps scientists locate hidden lakes using this type of satellite measurement.
What is remote sensing?
1000
Scientists study gases from Mount Erebus to learn about Earth’s interior using these volcanic openings.
What are fumaroles?
1000
These extremely dry, ice‑free valleys are considered the closest place on Earth to Mars.
What are the Dry Valleys?