Antarctic rainfall is rare, and climate warming may pose a threat to Antarctic insects

Mondo Science Updated on 2024-01-28

Looking for AI Writers Project On the evening of December 4, 2023, a rare light rain fell in the area of Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. In response to the local rainfall in Antarctica, Wang Jiujiang, a meteorological support officer accompanying the "Snow Dragon", said that rainfall in the Antarctic Circle is rare and is an abnormal phenomenon.

Antarctic Zhongshan Station is located on the Vistoden Peninsula in the Lasman Hills of Princess Elizabeth on the East Antarctic Continent, with geographical coordinates of 69 degrees 22 minutes 24 seconds south latitude and 76 degrees 22 minutes 40 seconds east longitude, 12553 minutes away from Beijing160 kilometers, the azimuth angle with Beijing is 32 degrees, 30 minutes and 50 seconds. Located in the Antarctic Circle, on the southeastern coast of Pridz Bay and hundreds of kilometers southwest of the Emory Ice Shelf and the Prince Charles Range, the Lasman Hills where Zhongshan Station is located is an ideal area for Antarctic marine and continental scientific expeditions. Not far from Zhongshan Station, there are Australia's Labor Base and Russia's Progress Station.

Completed in February 1989, Zhongshan Station is the second Antarctic research station in China and the first perennial research station established in the Antarctic Circle. Zhongshan Station has complete facilities and functions, and is the hub of Antarctic inland expedition and plays an irreplaceable role in China's Antarctic expedition. There is a saying in the Antarctic expedition team: "The cold in Antarctica does not necessarily freeze people to death, but the wind energy in Antarctica can 'kill'." ”

Antarctica is the windiest region in the world, and high winds are the "regulars" of Antarctica. In some areas, there are more than 300 days of strong winds above level 8 per year, with an average annual wind speed of 194 meters per second, known as the Earth's "wind pole". Hurricanes with winds of up to 100 meters per second have been observed at Dearville Station in France, which is three times that of a Category 12 typhoon and the largest wind speed ever recorded in the world.

The core reason why the Antarctic wind is so strong is that the surface temperature of the Antarctic continent, especially in the central area of the Antarctic ice sheet, is low, and the nearby air is rapidly cooled and contracted to become heavier and denser. The Antarctic topography is dominated by plateaus, high in the middle, low around, and many slopes, and the heavier cold air slides sharply along the slope from the inland heights, and when it reaches the coastal zone, due to the sudden decline of the terrain, the speed of the cold air flow increases, so a strong and extremely fast downwind is formed.

In such a climate, there are not only scientific expeditions stationed here, but also a cute creature called penguins inhabiting here. And amazingly, there are insects on this cold continent – a mysterious insect called the Antarctic midge. This insect is small in size, only about 2 to 6 millimeters, and is the only insect on the Antarctic continent that can survive all year round. Studies have found that Antarctic midges can help larvae survive freezing by reducing the amount of water formed in their bodies, and they can also stabilize proteins and cell membranes to tolerate extreme low temperatures. However, the latest research has found that climate warming could pose a threat to it.

Antarctic light rain falls, celestial phenomena are rare" Antarctica, this continent covered with ice and snow, mysterious and magnificent. Zhongshan Station, a scientific research station standing on the Antarctic continent, shoulders the important mission of exploring Antarctica. On the evening of December 4, 2023, Beijing time, it rained lightly in the area of Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. The raindrops fell softly, like countless elves jumping, bringing life and vitality to this snow-covered land.

In Antarctica, light rain is a rare weather phenomenon. Due to the cold climate of the Antarctic continent, precipitation is scarce and rare for many years. Although this light rain was short, it brought infinite surprises and touches to the scientific expedition team members of Zhongshan Station.

Light rain is a beautiful scenery at Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. In this silvery white world, the raindrops are crystal clear, as if they have put on a gorgeous coat for the earth. The team members walked out of the scientific research station one after another, feeling the freshness and moisture of the light rain. They reach out and let the raindrops fall in the palms of their hands, feeling the gift of nature.

Light rain is a kind of vitality of Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. In this white, clean and desolate land, the arrival of light rain makes all the difference. Raindrops moisten the snow and ice, and may give birth to new life. Xiaoyu is the mother earth that gives birth to life, and it may be possible for Antarctica to reproduce new life. In this icy and snowy world, the temperature has formed a light rain, which is a kind of hope and strength, allowing the team members to feel the magic and greatness of nature.

At Zhongshan Station in Antarctica, although the light rain was only for a short time, it brought infinite surprises and touches to the team members. The raindrops fell, moistening the Antarctic continent and the hearts of the team members. On this mysterious continent, the team members will continue to explore the unknown and make incredible contributions to the scientific cause of mankind. Very wealthy, the world, good as water, but good life;May everything be as you wish, Amitabha!

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