Each of us knows from school that Antarctica is the coldest and least populated continent on the planet. But few people know about his other record. The fact is that this continent is also the highest in the world. The highest point of Antarctica "grew" above the earth's surface by almost five kilometers!
Landmark features
Until the middle of the twentieth century, disputes continued among geographers about what was hidden under the eternal ice of Antarctica. Some scientists believed that under the snow-white shell hid a whole piece of land - the mainland. Others were convinced that under it was an archipelago of several islands. Further scientific studies of the earth's crust, as well as expeditions, put an end to this debate: Antarctica was recognized as the sixth continent of the planet, and even the highest.
The average surface height of Antarctica is 2040 meters. True, the mainland owes such a record to a powerful ice cap. In the absence of it, the continent would rise on average only 415 meters above the surface of the ocean.
The relief of Antarctica is extremely heterogeneous. Vast plains border on areas of folding here. In addition, a third of the mainland is below sea level.
By the nature of the relief, the entire continent can be divided into two parts - Western and Eastern. East Antarctica is located within a long platform and is a raised plateau. In the western part of the mainland, lowlands and real mountain ranges alternate. It is here that the highest point of Antarctica is located.
The mountains of the coldest continent are very similar in age and genesis to the American Andes. Geologists believe that they can be their direct continuation in the extreme south of the planet.
The highest point of Antarctica - Vinson Peak
Thousands of kilometers from the pole is the Vinson Massif with a total length of 21 km. It was opened only in 1957 and named after the American Senator Carl Vinson. It is here that the highest point of Antarctica is located. This is Vinson peak , whose height is 4892 meters.
A curious fact: in the old Soviet textbooks and maps you can see a different value for the height - 5140 m. This is exactly what it was before. But due to global warming, the highest point of Antarctica is rapidly melting, losing 50 meters per decade.
Vinson Peak Climbing History
The first climb to Mount Vinson in Antarctica was made by an American expedition consisting of nine experienced climbers. The conquest of the peak took place on December 18, 1966. The expedition also climbed a number of other peaks of the Vinson Massif. After that, the highest point of the mainland was conquered by athletes and tourists from around the world.
Descended from Mount Vinson in a variety of ways. So, the American Stephen Koch did it on a snowboard, and the Japanese Yuichiro Miura - on skis.
Today, almost any person can climb the highest peak of the “frosty” continent. Some travel agencies even organize similar programs. True, a lot will have to be paid for such an ascent - about 3 million rubles.