1.1 Purpose and Authorisation
This report was authorised by Neil Tindale (ENS242 Weather and Climate Lecturer and Tutor) for the purpose of evaluating and analysing climate change in Antarctica.
1.2 Limitations
This report is only based on literature research. It would have been preferable to gather data in Antarctica, but Antarctica is 7 014 km away from Australia and limited options is available to travel in the southernmost continent on Earth.
1.3 Scope
This report is examining and analysing the effect of Climate Change in Antarctica. It is including an overview of Antarctica with its geology and atmospheric conditions, what causes climate change and its effect on Antarctica. In addition, it introduces predictions of what …show more content…
It is situated in the Antarctic region of the southern hemisphere, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Antarctica has an area of 14 million km2. In fact, it is twice bigger than Australia and 98% of the land is covered by ice that averages at least 1.9 kilometers in thickness (Fretwall et al. 2013; Tinger 1991; Wayman 2013).
2.2 Geology
Antarctica is predominantly and permanently covered by thick layer of ice. The Antarctica peninsula is made by uplift and metamorphism of sea sediments which occurred during the late Paleozoic and the early Mesozoic eras. This sediments uplift was complemented by igneous intrusions and volcanisms (Adie 1977).
The most common rocks founded in Antarctica are andesite and rhyolite formed during the Jurassic period. It has been found that some evidence of volcanic activity, but all volcanoes are covered by a kilometer of ice (Adie 1962)
The east of Antarctica is geologically varied with some rocks formed more than 3 billion years ago. It is composed of a metamorphic and igneous platform which is the foundation of the continent shield. On the top, different modern rocks such as sandstones, limestone, coal and shale laid down during the Devonian and Jurassic periods to form the Transantarctic Mountains (Adie …show more content…
For example, the Citizen newspaper (2013) reported that more than 171 plants species were endangered or vulnerable in Nigeria. These plants are mainly harvested from forests because of commercial activities that cause rapid deforestation at about 400,000 hectares per annum. In addition, the disappearance of species affected by the deforestation could disrupt the nation’s genetic resource with subsequent threat to the biodiversity. Derek Markham (2009) identified the following as the causes of climate change induced by