Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 6 Geography Book Solutions Chapter 6 Antarctica: The Ice-capped Continent offer valuable context and analysis.
WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Question Answer – Antarctica: The Ice-capped Continent
Objective Type Questions [1 mark each]
Question 1.
What is the summer temperature range in Antarctica?
Answer:
-28° C and -38° C.
Question 2.
Which plants grow in the coastal areas of Antarctica ?
Answer:
During summer when some ice melts, mosses, fungi and lichens grow in the coastal areas.
Question 3.
What type of topography is found in most part of Antarctica?
Answer:
Most part of Antarctica is mountainous.
Question 4.
What are large mammals of the Antarctic Ocean ?
Answer:
Seal and whale are large mammals of the Antarctic Ocean.
Question 5.
When was Antarctica first discovered?
Answer:
In 1820.
Question 6.
Write the name of the largest research station in Antarctica.
Answer:
The Mc Murdo station established by USA is the largest research station.
Question 7.
What is the red, green and blue streaks of light in the sky of Antarctica called?
Answer:
Aurora Australis.
Question 8.
When was the Antarctic Treaty signed?
Answer:
In 1959 by 12 countries.
Give reasons for the following [2 marks each]
Question 1.
Antactica is known as the white continent.
Answer:
Antarctica is located around the south pole. It is completely frozen and is therefore known as the white continent.
Question 2.
There is great difference between the temperature in the coastal areas and at the centre of the ice-cap.
Answer:
Temperature ranges between -40° C and -75° C. Summer temperature on the coastal parts seldom rises above freezing point. In the interior parts the temperature remains between -28° C and 38° C
Question 3.
Antarctica is a cold desert.
Answer:
Antarctica is a cold desert with annual precipitation of 200 ~mm along the coast and far less within inland.
Question 4.
None of Antarctica’s mineral resources have been developed.
Answer:
Most of Antarctica’s minerals occur in amount too small to be mined profitably. Antarctica has deposits of coal, iron and copper. Petroleum may be present in the sea bed. None of Antarctica’s mineral resources have been developed.
Identify the correct answers : [1 mark each]
Question 1.
The white continent refers to
(a) Australia
(b) Europe
(c) Antarctica
(d) Asia
Answer:
(c) Antarctica
Question 2.
The Greek word ‘Antarktika’ means
(a) in the north
(b) in the south
(c) the opposite to north
(d)the opposite to south
Answer:
(c) the opposite to north
Question 3.
Antarctica lies closest to
(a) Australia
(b) Argentina
(c) South Africa
(d) New Zealand
Answer:
(a) Australia
Question 4.
The sun never sets in Antarctica during the month of
(a) January
(b) July
(c) June
(d) September
Answer:
(a) January
Question 5.
Antarctica is surrounded by the
(a) Arctic circle (66 1/2° N)
(b) Antarctic circle (66 1/2° S)
(c) Great circle (0°)
(d) Semi half circle
Answer:
(b) Antarctic circle (66 1/2° S)
Question 6.
The size of Antarctica ranks
(a) first
(b) second
(c) third
(d) fifth
Answer:
(d) fifth
Question 7.
The first man who visited the south pole was
(a) Captain Scott
(b) Roald Amundsen
(c) Columbus
(d) Captain Cook
Answer:
(b) Roald Amundsen
Question 8.
Indian first team to first touch Antarctica was in
(a) 1912
(b) 1952
(c) 1972
(d) 1982
Answer:
(d) 1982
Question 9.
Name of the ship of first Indian team to Antarctica was
(a) Indian ship
(b) Polar circle
(c) Gangotri
(d) Maitri
Answer:
(b) Polar circle
Question 10.
Antarctica was first discovered in
(a) 1732
(b) 1820
(c) 1922
(d) 1982
Answer:
(b) 1820
Fill in the blanks with correct words : [1 mark each]
1. Antarctica lies entirely in the ____ Hemisphere.
Answer:
Southern
2. ____ is an active volcano on the shores of the Rossa sea.
Answer:
Mount Erebus
3. Antarctica has ____ climate.
Answer:
Harsh
4. The seas around Antarctica have large swarms of small fish called ____.
Answer:
Krill
5. Floating and slowly moving blocks of ice are called ____.
Answer:
Ice berg
6. An Indian exped to Antarctica was first sent in ____.
Answer:
December, 1982
7. Permanent manned Indian research station called ____ and was set up in the year ____ .
Answer:
Maitri, 1990
8. ____ is being called a ‘Continent for Science’.
Answer:
Antarctica
9. The USA has taken the lead by establishing a minicity named ____ in Antarctica.
Answer:
MC Murdo
10. May to ____ is the winter season when there is no sun.
Answer:
July
11. ____ is a virgin continent.
Answer:
Antarctica
12. The ____ mountains are situated between lesser Antarctica and Greater Antarctica.
Answer:
Transantarctic
If the sentence is true, write ‘ T ‘ and if false write ‘ F ‘ against the following [1 mark each]
1. 99 % of the continent of Antarctica remains permanently covered with ice.
Answer:
True
2. Vinson Massif is the highest peak in Antarctica.
Answer:
True
3. The lowest recorded temperature is -90° C at Vostok station, on July 21, 1983.
Answer:
True
4. The Antarctica is the coldest desert.
Answer:
True
5. West Antarctica faces the Atlantic and Indian Ocean.
Answer:
False
6. East Antarctica borders the Pacific Ocean.
Answer:
False
7. Penguins of Antarctica are birds, but they cannot fly.
Answer:
True
8. Lambert Glacier is the longest glacier on earth.
Answer:
True
9. Penguins cannot fly, but they are good swimmers.
Answer:
True
Correct the following sentences : [1 mark each]
1. The vast permanent icy cover in Antarctica is known as the ice bergs.
Answer:
The vast permanent icy cover in Antarctica is known as Continental Ice Cap.
2. The strong and severe cold winds blow throughout the year. These are called drizzing.
Answer:
The strong and severe cold winds blow throughout the year, these are called the brizzards.
3. Actually, Antarctica is a national continent.
Answer:
Actually, Antarctica is an international continent.
4. The first man landing on Antarctica was Neil Armstrong.
Answer:
The first man landing on Antarctica was Roald Amundsen.
5. Antarctica is a continent dedicated to excavation.
Answer:
Antarctica is a continent dedicated to peace and science.
Antarctica: The Ice-capped Continent Class 6 WBBSE Notes
Location, shape and size : Antarctica is a fairly large continent. It stands fifth along the seven continents of the world. It lies entirely in the southern hemisphere having the south pole just in its centre. Unlike other continents, it keeps completely frozen all the year round with temperature never rising above 0° C. Evidently, the land is ever under a thick cover of ice. That is why this continent is called the white continent also.
Introduction :
A continent called Antarctica lies entirely in the southern hemisphere. It is a large continent of south polar region. This is the only continent which is completely frozen throughout the year. Therefore, it is called the ‘The white continent’. The vast permanent icy cover is known as the ‘continental ice cap’. We know very less about its relief and landforms because it is covered by the thick icy blanket. It is surrounded by large blocks of drifting ice called ‘ice bergs’.
Antarctica is the fifth largest continent of the world. It is surrounded by a vast, cold ocean called the Southern Ocean. This ocean is so cold that the surface-water temperature rarely rises above 4° celsius. It is because of the severe cold that this continent still remains uninhabited. No human beings can think of living here permanently.
Ancient Greek philosopher speculated that a landmass at the Earth’s southern end was needed to balance the land in the northern hemisphere. Such landmass was sighted in 1820 , proving the suppositions correct. This was named Antarctica. The Greek word ‘Antarktika’ means ‘the opposite to north’ or ‘opposite the bear.’ The bear is a constellation seen from the northernmost region of the Earth. It is the windiest, driest and iciest place on the Earth. Antarctica is larger than either Europe or Australia. It is about four times the size of India. This roughly circular continent is placed between the south pole and the 60° S parallel.
‘Antarctica’-The Ice-territory : Land and Boundaries : The total area of the continent is 14.2 million square km. in summer. During winter, Antarctica doubles in size because of the large amount of sea ice that forms along its periphery. About 99 % of the continent remains permanently covered with ice. In some places the thickness is up to 4800 metres. Underneath the ice, Antarctica has mountains, plains and valleys. The whole of this continent is a great plateau elevated to 2-5 km.
The Transantarctic mountains cross the entire continent. This mountains divide Antarctica into two parts-East Antarctica and West Antarctica.
1. East Antarctica : East Antarctica faces the Atlantic and Indian Ocean and covers more than half of the continent. Mountains, valleys and glaciers are found along the coast. A rift valley cuts into the coastline from the Indian Ocean. The central part is a plateau about 3000 metres above sea level. The eastern part of the continent is much wider than the western part. There are many glaciers in the continent. The Lambert glacier in East Antarctica is the world’s largest ice sheet. This glacier is about 100 km wide, over 400 km long and about 2500 m deep. Another glacier called the Beardmore glacier is one of the largest valley glaciers in the world having length of 201 km and width of 40 km.
2. West Antarctica : West Antarctica borders the Pacific Ocean. It
includes several mountain ranges and volcanoes. Most part of this region is mountainous. ‘Queen Maud Range’ divides mountainous part into two equal parts. Mount Erebus is an active volcano which is 3,795 metres high. It is permanently covered with thick ice. Mount Erebus is situated on the banks of Ross Bay off the Pacific Ocean. Vinson Massif (4897 m) is the highest peak of Antarctica. Vinson Massif is found in the Ellsworth Mountains near the peninsula.
The Antarctic Peninsula is a mountainous, S-shaped figure of land that points towards South America. The peninsula forms a continuation of the Andes Mountain chain of South America.
Climate : Antarctica is the coldest of all the continents. Icy winds make it even colder. The lowest recorded temperature is -90° C at Vostok station, on July 21, 1983.
1. Winter lasts from May to August. The average winter temperature is -70° C in the interior and -30° C at the coast.
2. December to February are the summer months. The average summer temperature is -35° C in the interior and 2° C at the coast.
3. There is a distinct difference between the summer and winter temperatures.
4. There is a great difference between the temperature in coastal areas and at the centre of the ice cap.
5. Most of the continent is dry. The interior receives an average of 5 cm of rain. The coastal areas are more moist. Annual coastal rain and snowfall average 60 cm. The Antarctica is a cold desert.
6. Winter from May to August is dark as Sun remains invisible. Streaks of blue, green, red etc. lights can be seen in the sky. The phenomenon is known as Aurora Australis.
Vegetation : Antarctica is a cold desert which cannot support normal and natural vegetation. A few plants grow in Antarctica because of the ice covered land and harsh climate. The most common plants are mosses and lichens. These plants cling to rocky areas, mostly along the coast. Some clumps of coarse grass and flowering plants are also found where the temperatures are milder.
Animal Life: The scanty vegetation is not enough to support animal life. Only a few insects and some tiny animals are found in Antarctica. The continent’s largest land animal is a type of fly not more than 2 cm long. There are penguins, seals and several sea birds which flock there during the summer season. Whales live in the surrounding sea. A small fish, called ‘Krill’ is found in plenty. The international laws are there for forbidding the killing of whales.
Discovery of Antarctica :
Antarctica was first discovered in 1820 but real exploration work began in
the 20 th century. Various countries claim the credit for the discovery of Antarctica. During the 19th century sailors sailed along its coast and found it was large enough to be called a continent.
Explorations began in the 20th century. The Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the south pole in 1911. In 1959, twelve countries signed a treaty to use the continent mainly for research.
Antarctica : The Continent of Science
This is the most inhospitable continent to man. Only scientists from different countries work here to find the solution of questions. This continent is not the territory of any country. It is an internationally owned landmass. Almost 40 countries have established more than 100 research centres here. These countries include the United States, Norway, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France, Germany, Argentina and India. Scientists around the world are researching on the natural environment of Antarctica-its weather and climate, mineral resources, etc. This continent has got huge reserves of coal, petroleum, natural gas, copper, nickel and gold under its surface.
Indian Expeditions to Antarctica :
Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica was first sent in 1982. They started for Antarctica from Goa on December 1981. From 1982 to 1989 India sent about nine expeditions to this icy continent.
The first Indian team had 21 members. They were under the charge of Dr. S.Z. Qasim. As the journey was through roughest and most dangerous high seas, their ship named ‘Polar circle’ was equipped with two helicopters and two ice scooters. They set sail from Goa on December 6, 1981 and lastly they touched Antarctica on January 9,1982.
They stayed there for about ten days during which they carried out many experiments about climate, origin of the icy continent and its separation from the landmass etc. They set up a station there and named it ‘Dakshin Gangotri’. They discovered an undersea mountain on their way back and named it ‘Indira’. Facilities were erected between 1982 and 1985 at Dakshin Gangotri. Later on it was found that Dakshin Gangotri was drifting slowly because it was located on an ice shelf.
Second permanent manned station was located on a rocky foundation in 1990, called Maitri. It can accommodate 25 members. All the expeditions tried to know the possibilities of the existence of life and to solve the mysteries about the earth’s environment.