Antarctica vs arctic which is colder

This is due to the warmer climate in the Arctic which allows a few inches of soil to thaw each year for vegetation, this is known as the active soil. The climate found in the Arctic might be extreme, but people have still found ways to live there for over 20, years. Larsen and G. Fondahl, There are around 1,, people from across the world who live at the research centers in Antarctica, although they are usually stationed there for one year before returning home 12 source: Wikipedia.

Although Antarctica and the Arctic appear as snowy landscapes. Antarctica is a landmass that was once connected to India and Africa 13 source: Live Science. Over time it has drifted south and froze over. However, underneath it still contains mountain ranges, gorges, and valleys 14 source: British Antarctic Survey. It sits on the Antarctic tectonic plate, is vast in size, and is distinct from other landmasses on Earth, these are all the criteria needed to consider Antarctica as a continent.

In fact, Antarctica is the 5 th largest continent on Earth, larger than Europe and Australia. On the other hand, most of the Arctic is simply sea ice that sits on the ocean so it is not considered to be a continent. Parts of several other countries do fall within the Arctic as they protrude north of the Arctic circle which leads to the next difference between the two. Although several countries made territorial claims in Antarctica between and , all of those countries agreed to set aside these claims when the Antarctic Treaty was formed in so there are no official countries in Antarctica 15 source: British Antarctic Survey.

Although seven states made territorial claims in Antarctica between and , the introduction of The Antarctic Treaty on 23 June set aside these claims. On the other hand, all of the landmasses found in the Arctic, and up to 12 nautical miles 22 km; 14 mi from the coastline into the sea, is owned by 8 different states. Beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast is considered international waters and is not owned by anybody.

The north pole itself sits on sea ice which lies more than 12 nautical miles from a coastline, therefore nobody owns this. Although both the Arctic and Antarctica have a similar pattern in terms of their seasons, they are completely reversed.

This is because of the tilt of the Earth. The timing of polar days and midnight sun is also reversed at the south pole compared to the north pole. There are only two days per year when the amount of daylight is equal at the north pole and south pole, this is the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox which take place in March and September.

No, the Arctic and Antarctica are at opposite ends of the planet. The Arctic is the area around the north pole whereas Antarctica is at the south pole. Antarctica is colder than the Arctic. Although both Antarctica and Alaska are snow-covered landscapes in winter. The main difference between the two is that Alaska thaws out in the summer which allows vegetation to grow and creates a climate that people can live in.

On the other hand, Antarctica remains below freezing year-round so nobody lives there apart from scientists on a short-term basis. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Skip to content. Table Of Contents. Where are the Arctic and Antarctica? Both Antarctica and parts of the Arctic are deserts 2. Both the Arctic and Antarctica receive polar nights 3.

Antarctica is much colder than the Arctic 2. Antarctica is an ice cap whereas the Arctic is a tundra 3. The Arctic and Antarctica are home to very different animals 4. There is more diverse vegetation in the Arctic compared to Antarctica 5. The Arctic has 4 million permanent residents whereas Antarctica has none 6. Antarctica is a continent but the Arctic is not 7. Antarctica contains no countries whereas the Arctic does 8. Nobody owns Antarctica whereas parts of the Arctic are under the jurisdiction of other countries 9.

Which is Colder, Antarctica or the Arctic? What is Antarctica Like vs Alaska? Is Antarctica at the North or South Pole? Temperatures in the Arctic vary significantly across the region and between seasons. As the temperatures are above freezing in summer, it allows the snow to melt and lets vegetation grow. This considers both rainfall and temperatures. Under this system, the Arctic and the Antarctic fall under different types of polar climates with one being an ice cap and the other being a tundra 6 source: Wikipedia.

The main difference between the two is that snow will melt from a tundra during the summer months, allowing vegetation to grow whereas an ice cap will remain snow-covered year-round. Despite a common myth that polar bears eat penguins, they live at opposite ends of the world.

The Arctic has a thriving animal population including the Arctic fox, polar bear, snowy owl, Arctic hare, Arctic wolf, caribou reindeer , moose, and more. Both the Arctic and Antarctica are home to lower plant species such as mosses, liverworts, lichens, and fungi.

These have adapted well to surviving in extreme climates. However, the big difference between the two is when we look at vascular plants i. In Antarctica, there are only two species of vascular plants, these are Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort. This is due to the warmer climate in the Arctic which allows a few inches of soil to thaw each year for vegetation, this is known as the active soil.

The climate found in the Arctic might be extreme, but people have still found ways to live there for over 20, years. Larsen and G. Fondahl, There are around 1,, people from across the world who live at the research centers in Antarctica, although they are usually stationed there for one year before returning home 12 source: Wikipedia.

Although Antarctica and the Arctic appear as snowy landscapes. Antarctica is a landmass that was once connected to India and Africa 13 source: Live Science. Over time it has drifted south and froze over. However, underneath it still contains mountain ranges, gorges, and valleys 14 source: British Antarctic Survey. It sits on the Antarctic tectonic plate, is vast in size, and is distinct from other landmasses on Earth, these are all the criteria needed to consider Antarctica as a continent.

In fact, Antarctica is the 5 th largest continent on Earth, larger than Europe and Australia. On the other hand, most of the Arctic is simply sea ice that sits on the ocean so it is not considered to be a continent.

Parts of several other countries do fall within the Arctic as they protrude north of the Arctic circle which leads to the next difference between the two. Although several countries made territorial claims in Antarctica between and , all of those countries agreed to set aside these claims when the Antarctic Treaty was formed in so there are no official countries in Antarctica 15 source: British Antarctic Survey.

Although seven states made territorial claims in Antarctica between and , the introduction of The Antarctic Treaty on 23 June set aside these claims. On the other hand, all of the landmasses found in the Arctic, and up to 12 nautical miles 22 km; 14 mi from the coastline into the sea, is owned by 8 different states.

Beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast is considered international waters and is not owned by anybody. The north pole itself sits on sea ice which lies more than 12 nautical miles from a coastline, therefore nobody owns this.

Although both the Arctic and Antarctica have a similar pattern in terms of their seasons, they are completely reversed. This is because of the tilt of the Earth. The timing of polar days and midnight sun is also reversed at the south pole compared to the north pole. There are only two days per year when the amount of daylight is equal at the north pole and south pole, this is the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox which take place in March and September.

No, the Arctic and Antarctica are at opposite ends of the planet. The Arctic is the area around the north pole whereas Antarctica is at the south pole. Antarctica is colder than the Arctic. Although both Antarctica and Alaska are snow-covered landscapes in winter. The main difference between the two is that Alaska thaws out in the summer which allows vegetation to grow and creates a climate that people can live in.

On the other hand, Antarctica remains below freezing year-round so nobody lives there apart from scientists on a short-term basis. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Skip to content. Table Of Contents. Where are the Arctic and Antarctica? Both Antarctica and parts of the Arctic are deserts 2. Both the Arctic and Antarctica receive polar nights 3.