East Antarctica experiences its first-ever heat wave on record

10 Apr 2020

East Antarctica experiences its first-ever heat wave on record

East Antarctica experiences its first-ever heat wave on recordWe have read about record levels of temperature in northern parts of Antarctica.

Recently, climate scientists have recorded the first-ever heatwave in another region of Antarctica - at the Casey Research Station in East Antarctica.

This was recorded this year between 23 and 26 January (which is the summer season in Antarctica).

Over the 3 days, the area experienced "its highest temperature ever," recording a record of 9.2 degrees Celsius on 24 January. Normally, the temperature is around 6 degrees Celsius in January.

Antarctic ecologist Dr. Dana Bergstrom says that excess ice melt early in the season can increase the population of mosses, lichens, microbes in the region. An ecologist is a scientist who studies the natural relationships between the air, land, water, animals, plants, etc.
 	However, this early ice melt may lead to drought (water shortage) later. It could also affect the local population and the global environment in the long run.
 	Higher temperatures can also badly affect plants and animals that are used to cold Antarctic conditions.

Scientists say that temperatures above zero makes ice melt much faster. The Antarctic region is heating up rapidly due to air pollution which traps heat and causes heatwaves. This will lead to rising sea levels, affecting millions of people living on the world's coasts.

Watch a short video below of what life is like on the Casey Research Station in Antarctica.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6aPVAe3k5I

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