The video discusses the mysterious continent of Antarctica, which holds 80% of the world's fresh water reserves. Scientists have been studying the continent and recently discovered a massive lake, Lake Vostok, hidden beneath the ice sheet. The lake is about 5,800 square miles in size and 4,000 feet deep, and despite the extreme conditions, scientists found life in the form of a new type of bacteria.
The discovery has led to the hypothesis that similar lakes may exist under the ice of Mars and Jupiter's moons, and that life could potentially exist in these places. Researchers have also discovered other subglacial lakes in Antarctica, and estimate that there could be up to 400 of these lakes.
Scientists have been studying the ice sheet and have found that it is distributed unevenly, with the ice in East Antarctica being thicker than in the western part. They have also discovered the remains of an ancient supercontinent, Gondwana, hidden beneath the ice.
The video also discusses the formation of holes in the ice sheet, which can be caused by powerful cyclones that bring warm air and water to the area. These holes can be massive, with one hole growing to the size of Ireland.
Despite the potential risks of climate change, scientists believe that the formation of these holes can actually promote better circulation between the ocean and atmosphere, and provide new sources of food for Antarctic animals. However, the large size of the holes can also affect the circulation of the ocean and lead to global climate change.
The video concludes by highlighting the importance of Antarctica and its impact on the planet's climate. The continent's ice sheet holds 80% of the world's fresh water reserves, and if it were to melt, sea levels would rise significantly, affecting cities and coastal areas around the world.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. There are no amphibian reptiles in Antarctica.
2. All land mammals in Antarctica were brought there by humans.
3. It has not rained in Antarctica for about 2 million years.
4. 80% of the world's fresh water reserves are stored in Antarctica.
5. Antarctica is the coldest and possibly the most mysterious continent on the planet.
6. Scientists have studied the surface of Antarctica quite well in the last century.
7. A lake, Lake Vostok, was discovered under the ice of Antarctica in the 1990s.
8. Lake Vostok is approximately 5,800 square miles or 15,000 square kilometers in size.
9. Lake Vostok is about 4,000 feet or 1,200 meters deep.
10. Lake Vostok is hidden beneath a huge ice sheet with a thickness of 11,886 feet or 3,623 meters.
11. The temperature near Lake Vostok reaches -128.2 degrees Fahrenheit or -89 degrees Celsius.
12. The pressure of the ice on Lake Vostok exceeds the pressure of the icy crust of Jupiter's moons.
13. Sunlight never penetrates the surface of Lake Vostok.
14. The concentration of hydrogen and oxygen in Lake Vostok is 50 times greater than in common fresh lakes.
15. A new type of bacteria was discovered in Lake Vostok, with DNA that is only 86% identical to other living beings.
16. The bacteria in Lake Vostok developed separately from all living organisms on Earth.
17. There are at least 3,500 species of living organisms in Lake Vostok.
18. Antarctica has at least 400 subglacial lakes.
19. The Bentley Depression is the deepest continental point on Earth, with a depth of about 8,215 feet or 2,500 meters below sea level.
20. The ice in East Antarctica is thicker than in West Antarctica.
21. The ice in East Antarctica is supported by the remains of the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana.
22. Scientists have drilled a hole in the ice of Antarctica to study the secrets of the continent.
23. The hole was drilled using a special hot-needle drill and reached a depth of 7,060 feet or 2,152 meters.
24. A huge hole, approximately 3,700 square miles or 9,583 square kilometers in size, was discovered in the ice of Antarctica in 2017.
25. The hole was caused by a century of warm and cold air currents colliding at the South Pole.
26. The hole is expected to grow to 37,000 square miles or 95,821 square kilometers in size.
27. The formation of such holes can lead to better circulation between the ocean and the atmosphere.
28. The holes can also provide new sources of food for Antarctic animals.
29. However, the large size of the holes can affect the circulation of the ocean and lead to global climate change.
30. A mountain-like geological structure was discovered in Antarctica, which separates the western and eastern parts of the continent.
31. This structure protects the largest Ross Glacier in Antarctica against the influx of warm waters.
32. If this structure did not exist, the rate of groundwater inflow into the Antarctic Ocean would increase by 20%.
33. This could lead to a rise in global sea levels of 38 feet and 11.6 meters.