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Year 9 - Geography

Antarctica: A frozen wilderness

Ice and glaciers: How are cold places affected by a warming planet?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about the physical processes that influence cold places around the world and how areas of ice have changed over time due to climatic variations. Pupils will learn about the impact of global warming on glaciated areas and what this means for the future of our planet.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the location of Antarctica and explain how it is studied.

Key Notes

  • Antarctica is a continent at the southern most point of the world.
  • 91% of all glaciers are found in Antarctica.
  • Scientists across the world work in Antarctica, but no-one lives there permanently.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • glacier: a huge accumulation of ice and snow that moves slowly over land
  • continent: a large continuous area of land on Earth
  • Antarctic Treaty: a natural area largely untouched by humans

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Antarctica is an ocean covered in ice.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Antarctica is a continent at the southern most point of the world. 91% of all glaciers are found in Antarctica.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'glacier'

a huge accumulation of ice and snow that moves slowly over land.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Antarctica is an ocean covered in ice. Correction: Antarctica is a continent, not an ocean. It has a landmass beneath its thick ice sheets, unlike the Arctic, which is sea ice floating on the ocean.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 Geography guide library.