Antarctica Is A Desert

When you picture Antarctica, you probably imagine massive ice sheets, towering glaciers, and relentless snowfall. However, Antarctica is technically the largest and driest desert on the entire planet. It receives less than two inches of precipitation every year, which is even less than the Sahara Desert.

In fact, there is a region called the McMurdo Dry Valleys where it has not rained or snowed for over two million years. The air there is so extremely dry that moisture vanishes almost instantly. Because there is virtually no water in the air, wild ice fires are a major hazard for scientific research stations.

If a fire starts in an Antarctic station, the extremely dry climate causes it to spread rapidly while making it nearly impossible to extinguish using traditional snow or water. Scientists living on the frozen continent must take extreme precautions to prevent accidental sparks.

Does it surprise you that the icy continent of Antarctica is officially classified as a giant desert?

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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is sourced from public geographical records and the imagery is for illustrative purposes.