History of Antarctica

After splitting from Gondwana, Antarctica drifted slowly to its present position over the South Pole. It has been covered with ice since approximately the beginning of the Pliocene, about 5 million years ago.

Related Topics:
Gondwana - Antarctica - South Pole - Pliocene

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In the Western world, beliefs in a Terra Australis -- a vast continent located in the far south of the globe to "balance" out the northern lands of Europe, Asia and north Africa -- had existed for centuries. European maps continued to show this land until Captain James Cook and the crews of his expedition's ships, Resolution and Adventure, crossed the Antarctic Circle three times between 1772 and 1775, dispelling the myth. However, ice packs prevented Cook and his men from seeing the actual continent, which was smaller than had long been thought. In 1513, admiral Piri Reis drew a map that has been said to show part of the Antarctic continent.

Related Topics:
Terra Australis - James Cook - 1772 - 1775 - 1513 - Piri Reis

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