Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2013, Current Events Lesson Plan
Current Event:
Scientists recently recorded hundreds of earthquake tremors in Antarctica, producing evidence of the first active volcano found so far inland on that frozen continent. The earthquake swarms originated about 15 to 25 miles (25 to 40 kilometers) below the surface, near the Executive Committee Range in the Marie Byrd Land region of West Antarctica. The scientists stressed that they did not detect an actual eruption. Instead, the tremors likely resulted from the fracturing of rock as flowing magma and fluids opened new channels within the volcano. If the volcano were to erupt, some of the ice above the vent would certainly melt, producing millions of gallons of water. Such a massive infusion of melt water would speed the flow of nearby ice streams. But unless the eruption was historically massive, it almost certainly would not melt all of the ice above. Scientists stressed that the greatest threat to Antarctica is still climate change.
Objective:
Antarctica is the coldest, highest, brightest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth. Temperatures there almost never rise above 32 °F (0 °C). Bright ice and snow cover 98 percent of the continent. The South Pole, Earth’s southernmost point, lies near the center of Antarctica. Antarctica covers about 5.4 million square miles (14 million square kilometers). Surrounding the continent is the Southern Ocean, which connects the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. Only a few small plants and insects can survive in Antarctica’s interior. But many animals thrive in and near the surrounding waters, including fish, tiny shellfish called krill, seals, whales, penguins, and other sea birds. Antarctica was first sighted in 1820. The Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole in 1911. Today, scientists maintain year-round research stations in Antarctica. The Behind the Headlines news stories and related World Book articles explore Antarctica and other geographic regions.
Words to know:
Discussion Topics:
1. Antarctica is one of the Earth’s seven continents. Ask your students to name the other six continents. (Students should say Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Note, Europe is technically not a continent, but a peninsula of Asia.)
The 1991 Madrid Protocol prohibits mineral exploitation in Antarctica.
2. Ask your students to debate, “Antarctica should be opened up for mining.”
3. Ask your students to use World Book’s Timelines feature to create a timeline of the history of exploration of Antarctica. (Students may wish to use the “Exploration” section of World Book’s Antarctica article for help.)