Why Antarctica is Important (california wine tours) Geographically

February 12th, 2010 admin Posted in travel |

By Larry Lopez

Antarctica is such a vast continent, that it amounts to approximately 10% of the world’s total land mass, and is far larger than either or Europe. Antarctica is both vast and forbidding with temperatures as low as minus 89 degrees and wind speeds up to 192 mph. The Southern Ocean surrounds the continent of Antarctica.

The seas are blessed with the richest concentration of nutrition in the universe, sufficient to feed numerous whales, fish, etc. Masses of micro forage and krill inhabit under the huge ice shelves. Whale, penguins, and seals eat krill primarily. In Japan, it is also served in homes.

The wildlife of Antarctica must be equipped to endure its harsh climate, since it is the most arid, bitterly freezing, and windiest continent. Antarctica’s average elevation is the highest of all the continents but has an annual precipitation of only 200mm concentrated mainly on the coastline. The creatures that can survive here include mostly seals and penguins, while plant-life consists of tundra and algae.

Antarctica is vital to our existence because of a very unique natural phenomenon. Antarctica has a high pressure atmosphere which means the molecules which compose the atmosphere are highly concentrated, thus the Greenhouse Effect over Antarctica is more pronounced. The sun produces radiant energy which is absorbed by the earth’s surface, the earth has begun absorbing more heat at the poles and as a result both the Arctic and Antarctica are becoming warmer.

The surrounding atmosphere is comprised of almost eighty percent nitrogen. Carbon dioxide and methane are also present in small amounts. These gasses trap the heat from the sun’s rays and make the ground warmer. This is often referred to as the “greenhouse” effect.

Because of the so-called “slingshot effect” at the equator, the regions around the poles build up methane and carbon dioxide faster than more temperate regions of the earth. Therefore, the temperature increase caused by the Greenhouse effect is nearly 4 to 5 times greater in the Antarctic region than any other place, making this continent essential for climate research.

The ice covering Antarctica is nearly three miles thick. Millions of years of snowfall has caused this ice compaction. We have discovered great knowledge from prehistoric times based on our findings from the study of atomic isotopes and air pockets from drilling core samples.

The notorious gap in the ozone layer is a result of injecting many coolants into the surrounding atmospheric area with severe negative consequences. They create detrimental consequences when reaching our ozone. Large chunks of the ice layers have split or sever thanks to the warming effect.

Those ice bergs then float north and slowly melt. This melting causes a rapid reduction of the polar icecaps and results in a corresponding rise in the level of the sea. In addition, valuable amounts of the nutritious krill are destroyed.

If all of the ice in Antarctica were to thaw, this would bring up sea level about sixty yards. New York City would end up a “Venice” of sorts, with waters reaching as high as the 20th story of many large buildings. Near-sea-level nations like Bangladesh and island chains of the South Pacific may vanish altogether.

Many who have traveled to Antarctica are of one accord in that the region is a vast area full of captivating and stunning splendor. Animals are not shy about the presence of humans. Seeing wildlife in these glorious, natural settings is breath taking to say the least!

It is the hope of many that this world will remain intact, its beauty forever preserved for future generations. Unfortunately, its steady demise has been in progress for far too long. There is hope, though, in the relief efforts of many countries standing alongside one another to achieve and maintain a solidly supported foundation and lasting future for Antarctica.

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Diving in the Philippines

By Mui Aponta

Tubbataha Reef, situated in the Sulu Sea towards the south-east of the Philippine archipelago, offers what is largely recognised as some of the best diving in the world. It is hard to reach, but more than worth the trip. Puerto Galera and Boracay are popular places for their beaches as well as their diving opportunities, good places to stay for travellers who like a bit of nightlife after a day beneath the waves.

The best time to visit the country to dive is between March and May, which is the hot season ? although visiting in the cold season (where temperatures are still more than agreeable compared to British winters), which runs from December to February is also good. The rainy season, running from June to November, is the season to avoid ? and not just because the weather isn”t great (which, lets face it, isn”t going to spoil the diving much). The rainy season is also known as the typhoon season. The Philippines has around twenty typhoon strikes each year, and it goes without saying that typhoon conditions would be lethal for divers.

Interestingly, the potential dangers of a typhoon are not necessarily excluded from most travel insurance policies ? but sub-aqua activities usually are. Experienced divers should be aware that this is the case, and beginners need to realise the fact very quickly. Should a diver travel with a standard travel insurance policy and become injured, they would be left facing medical expenses which could easily run into the thousands of pounds. Careful scrutiny of the policy wording is required.

If using scuba equipment, the diver must be qualified and accompanied by an instructor. So most beginners would definitely be covered by this policy. For an experienced diver exploring a wreck, a specialised extreme sports policy would be needed or additional cover taken out on a standard policy, which can be arranged with the insurer.

But so long as these precautions have been taken, diving in the Philippines could well be one of the best experiences any sub-aqua enthusiast could have.

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Mui Aponta recommends that you always take out cheap travel insurance. He advises on camparing a few holiday insurance quotes in order to get the best deal from from AA Travel Insurance.

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