In Journey to the End of the Earth, tectonic plates help us understand how Antarctica was formed.
* What are Tectonic Plates?
The Earth's surface is made up of big pieces called tectonic plates.
These plates move very slowly.
They float on the hot, soft layer inside the Earth.
Gondwana – The Supercontinent
Long ago, there was one big landmass called Gondwana.
It included Antarctica, India, Africa, South America, and Australia.
Due to plate movement, Gondwana broke apart.
These land pieces slowly moved to their current places.
How Antarctica Got Isolated
Antarctica moved far away to the South Pole.
Now, it is surrounded by ocean and cut off from other lands.
This made its climate and wildlife very different.
Mountains and Landforms
Moving plates create mountains and other features.
When plates push against each other, land rises.
This is how mountains like the Transantarctic Mountains formed.
Change in Climate
Antarctica wasn’t always cold.
As it moved south, the weather changed.
This affected its plants, animals, and ice cover over time.
Note: Content not written by me.
