Topography
Located at the South Pole, Antarctica covers 5.5 million square miles (14.2 square kilometers) and with over 95% of its surface area covered by ice it generates the coldest climate on Earth.
Based on its topography, the continent is divided into two parts: East Antarctica (south of Australia) and West Antarctica (south of South America). The dividing line runs approximately along the 0-180 degree meridian, from the east side of the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf to the west side of the Ross Ice Shelf.
East Antarctica is dominated by a large dome made of ice and snow. The dome rises to over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters). A ridge extends from the center of the dome in East Antarctica across the South Pole and into West Antarctica. The ridge diverts ice flows to either side of it with part of the ice going onto the Ross Ice Shelf the rest going onto Ronne-Filchner ice shelf.
The weight of all of this ice and snow has submerged part of the actual Antarctic landmass below the oceans. If the all of the ice were removed, the land would rise approximately 2,000 feet (6,562 meters) until most of East Antarctica was above sea level. Most of West Antarctica, however, would still remain submerged forming a shallow sea.
TopographyLocated at the South Pole, Antarctica covers 5.5 million square miles (14.2 square kilometers) and with over 95% of its surface area covered by ice it generates the coldest climate on Earth.Based on its topography, the continent is divided into two parts: East Antarctica (south of Australia) and West Antarctica (south of South America). The dividing line runs approximately along the 0-180 degree meridian, from the east side of the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf to the west side of the Ross Ice Shelf.East Antarctica is dominated by a large dome made of ice and snow. The dome rises to over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters). A ridge extends from the center of the dome in East Antarctica across the South Pole and into West Antarctica. The ridge diverts ice flows to either side of it with part of the ice going onto the Ross Ice Shelf the rest going onto Ronne-Filchner ice shelf.The weight of all of this ice and snow has submerged part of the actual Antarctic landmass below the oceans. If the all of the ice were removed, the land would rise approximately 2,000 feet (6,562 meters) until most of East Antarctica was above sea level. Most of West Antarctica, however, would still remain submerged forming a shallow sea.
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