Which of the following statements regarding continent of Antarctica is/are correct?

1. It has the highest average elevation as compared to all other continents.

2. Mount Vinson is the highest peak of this continent.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.

Key PointsThe Continent of Antarctica

• Antarctica is renowned for having the highest average elevation of all the continents. This is primarily due to the vast ice sheets that cover the majority of the continent. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• • The average elevation of Antarctica is about 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), making it the highest continent.
• Mount Vinson is recognized as the highest peak in Antarctica, standing at an elevation of 4,892 meters (16,050 feet) above sea level.
  • It is located in the Ellsworth Mountains, which are situated in the interior part of the Western Hemisphere portion of the continent. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Additional Information

• Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent and is nearly twice the size of Australia. It is the southernmost continent and is situated around the South Pole.
• It is covered by an ice sheet that contains approximately 90% of the world's fresh water. The thickness of the ice can average 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles).
  • This vast ice sheet plays a critical role in the earth's climate, reflecting a significant amount of the sun's energy back into space.
• The continent is surrounded by the Southern Ocean and does not have a permanent population. It hosts researchers and scientists from around the world who study its environment and ecosystems.
• Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, which establishes the region as a scientific preserve and bans military activity on the continent.
  • The treaty was signed in 1959 and has been ratified by numerous countries.
• The Antarctic climate is extremely cold, making it the coldest continent. The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth, -89.2°C (-128.6°F), was at Russia's Vostok Station in Antarctica.
• Global warming and climate change pose significant threats to Antarctica's ice sheets, which could have global implications for sea-level rise and climate patterns.