Polar Regions: The Arctic & the Antarctic

Both polar regions have many similarities, but they also have distinct differences.

The Arctic

For the purpose of this course, the Arctic region refers to the area north of the 60th parallel, which is the circle of latitude located 60 degrees north of the equator. However, there is a line with varying points that begins at Cap Kanin Nos and shifts downward around Jan Mayen, north of Iceland, and around the island of Greenland. The Arctic region is an ocean surrounded by land masses. Arctic sea ice can survive many summer seasons, leading to a significant amount of multi-year ice accumulation.

The Antarctic

The Antarctic region is significantly more straightforward. It consists of the area south of the 60th parallel - the circle of latitude that is 60 degrees south of the equator. This region is a continent surrounded by an ocean. Antarctic sea ice tends to retreat during the summer, causing it to melt as it encounters warmer water. The remaining ice is distributed throughout the Antarctic seas by the gyres located in the Weddell Sea and the Ross Sea, resulting in less multi-year ice than what is found in the Arctic.

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