With reference to the continent of ‘Antarctica’ which of the following statements are correct ?
- 1. It is larger than Europe in terms of area.
- 2. It has the highest average elevation as compared to all other continents.
- 3. Mt. Ross is the highest peak of this continent.
- 4. Waters of the Southern Ocean (West Wind Drift) move in an anticlockwise direction around it.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 2 is correct. Due to the immense ice sheet covering most of the landmass, Antarctica has the highest average elevation of any continent, estimated to be around 2,500 meters above sea level. This is significantly higher than the average elevation of other continents.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While Mount Erebus (often associated with Mount Ross on Ross Island) is a prominent and active volcano in Antarctica, it is not the highest peak of the continent. The highest peak is Vinson Massif, part of the Ellsworth Mountains, with an elevation of 4,892 meters.
Statement 4 is incorrect. The Southern Ocean waters around Antarctica are dominated by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), also known as the West Wind Drift. This current flows predominantly from west to east around the continent, driven by the prevailing westerly winds. This flow is clockwise when viewed from above the South Pole or from west to east on a standard map projection, not anticlockwise.
– Antarctica has the highest average elevation due to its ice sheet.
– Vinson Massif is the highest peak, not Mt. Ross (Mt. Erebus).
– The Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows from west to east (clockwise when viewed from above the South Pole).