Question

Which of the following are valid differences between East and West Antarctica?

• A. West Antarctica faces the Pacific Ocean while East Antarctica faces the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean.
• B. East Antarctica has a thicker ice sheet when compared to West Antarctica.
• C. The Antarctic Peninsula in East Antarctica is a continuation of the Andes Mountain range.
• D. East Antarctica is considerably larger than West Antarctica.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (D)

East Antarctica is considerably larger than West Antarctica.

Antarctica has a mountain range called the Trans-Antarctic mountains. It stretches over 3200 km and divides the continent into two parts, i.e. West Antarctica and East Antarctica. East and West Antarctica have several key differences: West Antarctica faces the Pacific Ocean, while East Antarctica faces the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. East Antarctica is considerably larger than West Antarctica. The Antarctic Peninsula in West Antarctica is a continuation of the Andes Mountain range. The East Antarctic Ice Sheet is larger and thicker than the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and is much older.