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Antarctica is the highest continent in the world, with an average height of 2,400 m above sea level. However, if all the ice was removed, Scientists think that Antarctica might be the lowest lying continent, at about 500 m above sea level.
Deception Island Base - HMS Endurance
Many scientists still argue about the reality of global warming. But if all the ice in Antarctica were to melt, apart from the predicted rise in the level of the world's oceans, the underlying rock in Antarctica would rise on average by 1000 m due to the weight of the ice being removed. This process is called isostatic uplift, but it would take many thousands of years to happen.
Heard Island - A J Graff
However, while research on global warming continues, a finding from Antarctica that brought the scientific community together was the research into the ozone layer and the international cooperation that would be needed to address the problem now.
Since 1977, the formation of an `Ozone Hole' above Antarctica each spring has been a major concern for scientists. Ozone is formed naturally in the upper atmosphere, where it blocks harmful UV rays from reaching the Earth's surface. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are artificial compounds used in fridges, air conditioners and aerosols, cause chlorine atoms to accumulate on ice crystals in the atmosphere of Antarctica during winter. In spring when the ice crystals melt, this chlorine is released, whereupon it reacts with and destroys ozone in a chain reaction. A large hole in the ozone is formed, which drifts north and breaks up in late spring.
Although there are now international agreements that have helped to phase out the use of chemicals that affect the ozone layer, it will be a long time before improvements are noticed and at least 50 years for the hole to disappear.
Meanwhile, the long term scientific monitoring of Antarctica's atmosphere will continue, but it should be mentioned that the very existence of the ozone hole, should serve as a warning to everyone that is very easy for humans to significantly alter the Earth's atmosphere.
Aurora over Antarctica - Australian Antarctic Division
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Amazing Antarctica