A new map of the Antarctic continent reveals that only 0.2% of its surface is exposed rock, with the rest being covered in ice. This is a significant difference from previous estimates, which put the area of exposed rock at around 1%. The new map was created using data from the recent Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) mission, which provides high-resolution measurements of the surface elevation of the Antarctic continent.
The new map shows that the vast majority of exposed rock is found in the Transantarctic Mountains, which run along the continent's spine. These mountains are formed from ancient rocks that were uplifted during the formation of the continent. Other areas of exposed rock include the coastal regions of the continent and some of the islands that are located offshore.
The new map also reveals that there are several large areas of the continent that are completely covered in ice. These areas include the East Antarctic Plateau, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and the Larsen Ice Shelf. The East Antarctic Plateau is the largest of these areas and it is one of the coldest and driest places on Earth. The average temperature on the plateau is -55°C and it receives only about 2 inches of precipitation per year.
The new map is a valuable resource for scientists who study the Antarctic continent. It provides a detailed look at the surface of the continent and it can be used to study how the continent has changed over time. The map can also be used to help plan future exploration of the Antarctic continent.
Here are some additional details about the new map:
* The map has a resolution of 100 meters per pixel.
* The map is based on data collected from ICESat-2, which was launched in 2018.
* The map took several years to create and it was validated by comparing it to other data sets.
* The new map is a significant improvement over previous maps of the Antarctic continent.
The new map will help scientists better understand the Antarctic continent and it will be a valuable tool for planning future exploration.
