Topic
Arctic and Antarctic questions for kids
Here are 171 questions about the Arctic and Antarctica from 11 A Million Whys books, each with a short video answer. Book 18, The Polar Expedition is all about the Arctic and Antarctica, and the rest come from other books in the series. Tap any question to watch the video and read the answer.
From Book 18: The Polar Expedition (150)
How Are the Arctic and Antarctica Different?
The Arctic is an ocean covered with floating ice, and Antarctica is a giant continent of land buried under ice! They sit at opposite ends of Earth, and they are opposites in other ways too.
Why Is Antarctica Colder than the Arctic?
Antarctica is colder than the Arctic because it is a high continent of land, while the Arctic is a low ocean! Height, land, and water all play a part.
Is There Land Under the North Pole?
No, there is no land under the North Pole! It sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, with deep water below.
How Thick Is the Ice in Antarctica?
The ice in Antarctica is about 1. 2 miles thick on average, and in some places almost 3 miles thick!
Was Antarctica Ever Warm and Green?
Yes, Antarctica was once warm and green! Millions of years ago it had forests, ferns, and animals.
What Are the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle?
The Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle are imaginary lines around Earth, about 66. 5 degrees north and south of the equator!
What Is the Arctic Ocean Like?
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest ocean on Earth, and it is covered with sea ice in winter! It sits at the top of the world, surrounded by land.
What Is the Southern Ocean?
The Southern Ocean is the ring of cold water that circles Antarctica, and many scientists call it the fifth ocean! It has strong winds and giant waves.
Why Is the Ground Frozen All Year in Parts of the Arctic?
In parts of the Arctic, the ground stays frozen all year! It is called permafrost.
Why Are There No Tall Trees on the Arctic Tundra?
There are no tall trees on the Arctic tundra because it is too cold, too windy, and the ground is frozen below the surface! So plants stay small and low.
What Is the Difference Between Sea Ice and an Ice Sheet?
Sea ice is frozen seawater that floats, and an ice sheet is a giant thick layer of ice sitting on land! They are both ice, but they are very different.
How Does Ocean Water Turn Into a Sheet of Ice?
Ocean water turns into ice when it gets cold enough, but salty water needs to be colder than freshwater to freeze! Tiny crystals start the process.
Why Is Old Sea Ice Less Salty than the Ocean It Came From?
Old sea ice is less salty than the ocean it came from because the salt slowly drains out of it! Over time, the ice becomes much fresher.
Why Do Pancakes of Ice Form on the Ocean?
Pancakes of ice form when waves bump and rub slushy ice into round plates! They look just like pancakes floating on the sea.
What Is an Ice Shelf?
An ice shelf is a thick, floating platform of ice that is attached to the land! It sticks out over the sea like a giant frozen shelf.
Where Do Icebergs Come From?
Icebergs come from glaciers and ice shelves that break off into the sea in a process called calving! That is how giant floating ice mountains are born.
Why Are Some Icebergs Flat Like Tables?
Some icebergs are flat like tables because they break off ice shelves, which are flat on top! Scientists call them tabular icebergs.
Why Do Some Icebergs Look Blue?
Some icebergs look blue because very old, tightly packed ice soaks up the red part of sunlight and sends the blue back to your eyes! Bubbles change the color.
How Much of an Iceberg Is Hidden Underwater?
About nine tenths of an iceberg is hidden underwater, and only the tip shows! That is why people say 'tip of the iceberg'.
Why Does Ice Ooze Downhill Like Thick Honey?
Ice looks solid, but under its own huge weight it can slowly flow downhill like thick honey! Rivers of ice carry it toward the sea.
What Is the Greenland Ice Sheet?
The Greenland ice sheet is a giant layer of ice that covers about four fifths of Greenland, the biggest island on Earth! It is up to two miles thick.
Why Do Giant Cracks Open in Polar Ice?
Giant cracks open in polar ice when glaciers stretch and bend as they flow! They are called crevasses.
Where Is the Coldest Place on Earth?
The coldest place on Earth is Antarctica! Vostok Station there recorded minus 128.
Why Is Antarctica So Windy?
Antarctica is so windy because cold, heavy air slides downhill off the high ice sheet like water flowing down a slope! Scientists call these katabatic winds.
Why Are Some Valleys in Antarctica Free of Ice and Snow?
Some valleys in Antarctica have no ice or snow because mountains block the glaciers and strong winds blow the snow away! They are called the McMurdo Dry Valleys.
What Is the Midnight Sun?
The midnight Sun is when the Sun stays above the horizon all night long in summer! It happens in places north of the Arctic Circle.
What Is the Polar Night?
The polar night is a time in winter when the Sun does not rise at all! Near the pole, it lasts for months.
Why Does the Sun Stay Up for Months Near the Poles?
The Sun stays up for months near the poles because Earth is tilted as it travels around the Sun! The tilt is about 23.
How Long Is One Day at the North Pole?
One day at the North Pole lasts a whole year! There is only one sunrise and one sunset each year.
Why Does the Sun Circle Around the Sky at the Poles Instead of Rising and Setting?
At the poles, the Sun circles the sky instead of rising and setting, because Earth's spin does not carry you through day and night there! It travels around the horizon.
Why Is the Sun So Low and Weak Near the Poles?
The Sun is low and weak near the poles because its light hits the ground at a slant and spreads out thin! Even in summer, the Sun never climbs high.
What Does the Sky Look Like in the Blue Glow of Polar Twilight?
Polar twilight glows in deep blue, purple, and pink before the Sun returns and after it leaves! It can last for days or even weeks.
How Do People Sleep When the Sun Never Sets?
People sleep when the Sun never sets by keeping a regular bedtime and making their bedrooms dark! Our bodies have a clock that follows light.
How Do People Living in the Arctic Stay Cheerful During Months of Darkness?
People in the Arctic stay cheerful during months of darkness by spending time together, staying active, and using lots of cozy light! Good habits keep spirits bright.
Why Do Plants Grow So Fast in the Arctic Summer?
Plants grow so fast in the Arctic summer because the midnight Sun gives them light almost around the clock! They race to grow before winter comes back.
Why Do Some Arctic Flowers Turn to Follow the Sun?
Some Arctic flowers turn to follow the Sun because their cup-shaped petals act like tiny satellite dishes that gather warmth! This sun tracking is called heliotropism.
Why Don’t Reindeer Follow a Day-And-Night Clock in the Arctic?
Scientists found that reindeer in the Arctic do not have a strong 24-hour body rhythm! Instead of following day and night, they eat and rest in short cycles.
What Do Animals Do During the Long Polar Night?
During the long polar night, animals do different things! Some leave, some sleep deeply, and some stay active.
Why Are Arctic Summers So Full of Mosquitoes?
Arctic summers are full of mosquitoes because thawed ground makes thousands of shallow ponds where mosquito eggs hatch! The swarms come out all at once.
How Many Seasons Are There at the Poles?
The poles have two main seasons, a long sunny summer and a long dark winter! Spring and autumn are very short.
What Is Diamond Dust?
Diamond dust is made of tiny ice crystals that form right in the air on very cold, clear days and sparkle as they drift down! It looks like floating glitter.
Why Are Shadows So Long Near the Poles?
Shadows are so long near the poles because the Sun sits low in the sky! A low Sun stretches shadows far across the ground.
What Time Is It at the North Pole?
At the North Pole, all the time zones meet, so there is no official local time there! Research stations simply choose one that is convenient.
Why Can Stars Shine All Day During the Polar Night?
Stars can shine all day during the polar night because the Sun stays below the horizon, so the sky never brightens! Astronomers love it.
Why Does the Moon Stay Up for Two Weeks at the Poles?
The Moon can stay up for two weeks at the poles because it circles Earth about once a month! Half of that trip is above the horizon.
What Happens on the Day the Sun First Returns After the Polar Night?
When the Sun first returns after the polar night, it peeks over the horizon for just a few minutes, and people celebrate! Each day, it stays up longer.
Why Do Polar Explorers Wear Dark Goggles?
Polar explorers wear dark goggles because snow and ice reflect most of the sunlight, and the glare can hurt their eyes! Goggles protect them.
Why Does the South Pole Get Less Sunshine Over a Year than a Sunny Beach?
The South Pole gets less sunshine over a year than a sunny beach because the Sun is always low there, and it is gone for half the year! Its light is weak and spread out.
Why Does the Sun Look Squashed When It Sits Near the Horizon?
The Sun looks squashed near the horizon because Earth's air bends its light! The bottom edge bends up more than the top, so the Sun looks flattened like an oval.
How Do Scientists at the South Pole Celebrate the Middle of Winter?
At the South Pole, scientists celebrate midwinter on June 21 with a special dinner, cards, and greetings from other stations! It is the darkest day of the year there.
How Do Polar Animals Stay Warm Without a Heater?
Polar animals wear built-in winter coats made of fur, feathers, and fat! These layers trap heat close to the body, so the cold stays outside.
How Do Seals Keep Their Flippers Warm in Icy Water?
Seals keep their flippers from wasting heat by using a clever plumbing trick! Warm blood going out to the flipper passes its heat to the cooler blood coming back.
How Can Birds Stand on Ice Without Freezing Their Feet?
Birds can stand on ice because their legs have a built-in heat-saving trick! Warm blood heading to the feet gives its heat to cool blood coming back up.
Why Do Many Arctic Animals Have Small Ears and Short Tails?
Many Arctic animals have small ears and short tails because small body parts lose less heat! Ears, tails, and legs have lots of surface for their size, and heat escapes through surfaces.
Why Are Polar Animals Often Big and Round?
Polar animals are often big and round because a big, round body loses heat slowly! A large body has less skin compared with the amount of body inside.
Why Do Snowy Owls Have Feathers on Their Feet?
Snowy owls have feathers on their feet to wear built-in fluffy socks! The feathers trap warm air and keep skin from touching cold snow.
How Do Reindeer Find Food Under the Snow?
Reindeer find food under the snow by smelling it and digging for it! Even under a foot of snow, they can sniff out their winter snack.
Why Do Reindeer Eyes Turn From Gold to Blue?
Reindeer eyes change color with the seasons, from gold in summer to blue in winter! The change helps their eyes see better when the light is very different.
What Makes Musk Ox Wool So Warm?
Musk ox wool is so warm because musk oxen wear two coats at once! A long, shaggy outer coat blocks wind and snow.
How Do Lemmings Live Under the Snow?
Lemmings live under the snow in a cozy hidden world! When snow piles up, a space forms between the ground and the snow.
How Can Some Fish Live in Water That Is Colder than Freezing?
Some fish can live in water colder than freezing because they make their own antifreeze! The antifreeze is made of special proteins in their blood and body fluids.
Why Are Icefish Blood Clear Instead of Red?
Icefish blood is clear because icefish do not have red blood cells like most animals! They are special fish that live in the icy waters around Antarctica.
How Can an Arctic Ground Squirrel Survive Below Freezing?
Arctic ground squirrels survive below freezing by supercooling their bodies! During hibernation, their body temperature drops to about 27 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why Don’t Polar Bear Paws Slip on Ice?
Polar bear paws do not slip on ice because they are covered with tiny bumps! The bumps grip the ice like a rubber doormat.
Why Does the Arctic Tern Fly From Pole to Pole?
The Arctic tern flies from pole to pole to enjoy two summers every year! It nests in the Arctic summer, then flies south to the Antarctic summer.
How Deep Can Emperor Penguins Dive?
Emperor penguins can dive more than 1,800 feet deep, deeper than a skyscraper is tall! They can also stay underwater for more than 20 minutes.
How Do Seals Breathe Through Holes in the Ice?
Seals breathe through holes in the ice that they keep open themselves! They are mammals, so they must come up for air.
How Do Arctic Hares Hop Across Deep Snow?
Arctic hares hop across deep snow on big, furry back feet that work like snowshoes! The wide feet spread out the hare's weight.
Why Is the Arctic Willow Shorter than Your Shoe?
The Arctic willow is shorter than your shoe because staying low keeps it safe and warm! It is a real willow, but it grows sideways instead of up.
What Are Lichens, and Why Do They Grow on Bare Polar Rock?
A lichen is a team of a fungus and a tiny alga living together! The fungus gives shelter, and the alga makes food from sunlight.
What Are Snow Fleas?
Snow fleas are tiny black specks that hop around on the snow, but they are not real fleas! They do not bite people or pets.
Do Worms Really Live in Glaciers?
Yes, worms really live in glaciers! They are called ice worms.
Why Do Sled Dogs Curl Up in the Snow to Sleep?
Sled dogs curl up in the snow to sleep because it keeps them warm! Their thick coats, curled-up bodies, and bushy tails work together.
What Are Walrus Tusks For?
Walrus tusks are long teeth that help walruses in lots of ways! They keep growing for a walrus's whole life.
How Do Polar Animals Know When Winter Is Coming?
Polar animals know winter is coming by watching how long the days are! The length of the day is the same every year, even when the weather is odd.
Why Are Polar Seas So Full of Life?
Polar seas are full of life because cold water is packed with oxygen and nutrients! In summer, the Sun shines almost all day long.
What Is Krill, and Why Does It Matter So Much?
Krill are small, shrimp-like animals that matter hugely to the Southern Ocean! They eat tiny plants and are eaten by almost everyone.
What Lives on the Underside of Sea Ice?
Under sea ice lives a hidden garden of tiny plants called ice algae! They grow in brown and golden streaks on the bottom of the ice.
Why Is Sea Ice a Nursery for Baby Animals?
Sea ice is a nursery because it gives young animals safety, warmth, and food! Many babies are born or grow up on and around the ice.
Who Eats Whom in the Antarctic Ocean?
In the Antarctic ocean, almost everyone eats or is eaten, starting with tiny plants! Krill sit in the middle of the whole web.
What Does the Arctic Food Web Look Like?
The Arctic food web starts with tiny algae and plankton and reaches all the way up to polar bears! Each link depends on the one below it.
What Are Copepods?
Copepods are tiny swimming animals in the sea, and they are cousins of crabs! Each one is only about the size of a grain of rice.
Why Do Whales Visit Polar Seas to Eat?
Whales visit polar seas to eat because summer there is an enormous buffet! The water is full of krill and fish.
How Can a Bowhead Whale Live for 200 Years?
Bowhead whales can live around 200 years, longer than any other mammal! They live in cold water and grow very slowly.
Why Does the Southern Ocean Circle All the Way Around Antarctica?
The Southern Ocean circles Antarctica because no land blocks the water! Strong winds push it around the continent from west to east.
Why Does Sinking Cold, Salty Water Matter for the Ocean?
Sinking cold, salty water matters because it carries oxygen and heat all around the ocean! Very cold, salty water is heavy, so it sinks.
Why Are Some Antarctic Sea Creatures So Big?
Some Antarctic sea creatures grow extra big, and scientists call this polar gigantism! Sea spiders can be as big as a dinner plate.
What Is a Brinicle?
A brinicle is a hollow tube of ice that grows downward from sea ice! It forms from super-salty, super-cold water called brine.
What Is a Polynya?
A polynya is a patch of open water surrounded by sea ice! It sounds like pol-IN-yah.
How Do Millions of Seabirds Fit on One Arctic Cliff?
Millions of seabirds fit on Arctic cliffs by using every tiny ledge! Each pair needs only a small space.
Why Do Arctic Bird Cliffs Have Bright Green Grass and Orange Rocks?
Arctic bird cliffs are green and orange because seabirds feed the plants without trying! Their droppings work like fertilizer.
How Old Can a Greenland Shark Get?
A Greenland shark may live for hundreds of years! Scientists estimate some are 250 to 500 years old.
Do Corals Live in Cold Polar Waters?
Yes, corals live in cold polar waters, too! These cold-water corals live deep in the dark sea, where there is no sunlight.
What Are Seal Whiskers For?
Seal whiskers are super-sensitive detectors that help seals find fish! They can feel tiny ripples in the water.
Why Do Some Seals Sing Under the Ice?
Some seals sing under the ice because sound travels far in water! Male Weddell seals and bearded seals make long trills and whistles.
Why Is the Edge of the Sea Ice a Feeding Hotspot?
The edge of the sea ice is a feeding hotspot because the meltwater there sets off a feast! Fresh meltwater floats on top of the salty sea.
How Can Satellites Find Penguins From Space?
Satellites can find penguins from space by spotting their droppings! The droppings stain the ice and rocks a reddish brown.
Why Do Polar Animals Grow So Slowly?
Polar animals grow slowly because cold slows down the chemistry in their bodies! Many take years to mature and live for decades.
Why Are Polar Seas Busy in Summer and Quiet in Winter?
Polar seas are busy in summer and quiet in winter because the Sun brings the food! In summer, nearly nonstop sunshine makes plankton bloom.
How Do Scientists Explore Under Polar Sea Ice?
Scientists explore under polar sea ice using cameras, robots, and special vehicles! These tools let researchers look beneath thick ice.
How Do Icebreaker Ships Break Through Thick Ice?
An icebreaker is a ship built to crush its way through thick ice! It has a super strong steel hull and a bow shaped like a sloping spoon.
How Do Ships Find a Path Through Sea Ice?
Ships find a path through sea ice by reading clues from the water, the air, and even space! Ice pilots look for open channels, and satellites show where the ice is thick or thin.
How Do Planes Land on Snow and Ice?
Planes land on snow and ice by using skis instead of wheels! Skis spread the plane's weight over a wide area, so it glides on top.
What Vehicles Drive Across Polar Snow and Ice?
Polar travelers use snowmobiles, tracked vehicles, and big tractors to cross snow and ice! Tracks and wide skis spread out weight so vehicles do not sink.
Why Don’t Skis Sink Into the Snow?
Skis do not sink because they spread your weight over a big area! Your weight is the same, but the push on each bit of snow is much smaller.
Why Do Polar Travelers Wear Layers of Clothes?
Polar travelers wear layers because layers trap warm air between them! Each layer has its own job, and together they keep the cold out.
Do People Really Live in Igloos?
Not really! Most people today live in regular houses, but snow houses are real!
What Is It Like to Live in a Polar Base?
A polar research station is like a small town in the ice! It has bedrooms, a kitchen, labs, a gym, and places to relax.
Where Do Polar Stations Get Their Electricity?
Most polar stations make electricity with generators that burn special fuel! Some also use sunshine and wind, when they can.
Where Does Drinking Water Come From When Everything Is Frozen?
Even where everything is frozen, polar stations make their own drinking water! There is plenty of ice, but there are no taps.
What Do Polar Scientists Eat All Winter?
Polar scientists eat well all winter, thanks to careful planning! Chefs plan the menus months ahead and store lots of frozen, canned, and dried food.
What Happens to Trash in Antarctica?
In Antarctica, nothing is left behind! There are strict rules: stations must take their waste back out.
Why Was Halley Vi Research Station Built on Giant Skis?
Halley VI sits on a floating ice shelf in Antarctica, where snow keeps piling up and ice keeps moving! So its builders put the station on giant skis and legs.
Why Are Some Polar Buildings Built Up on Stilts?
Some polar buildings stand on stilts so they do not melt the ground or get buried! In places with permafrost, a heated building can melt the frozen ground below it.
How Do Polar Scientists Call Home?
Polar scientists call home using radio and satellites! Signals travel up to a satellite and back down to Earth.
How Do Polar Travelers Stay Safe?
Polar travelers stay safe by training first, planning well, and never going alone! They carry the right gear and always tell the station where they are going.
Why Do Batteries and Metal Act Strangely in Extreme Cold?
Extreme cold changes how things work, especially batteries and some materials! Cold slows the chemical reactions that make a battery work, just like cold honey flows slowly.
Why Do Eyelashes and Beards Get Frosty in the Cold?
Frosty eyelashes and beards come from your own warm breath! Your breath is full of invisible water vapor, which is water in the form of a gas.
Why Do Scientists Put Giant Telescopes at the South Pole?
The South Pole is a super place for telescopes! It is high, very cold, and extremely dry, so the air is clear and steady.
How Do Weather Balloons Help Polar Scientists?
Weather balloons carry instruments high into the sky for polar scientists! Station staff release them every day.
What Is a Research Ship That Spends a Year Frozen in the Ice?
It is a research ship that froze into the Arctic ice on purpose and drifted for about a year! The German ship Polarstern did this in 2019, so scientists could study the Arctic through every season.
What Are Ice Roads?
Ice roads are roads made right on top of frozen lakes and rivers in winter! In northern Canada, the ice gets thick enough to carry heavy trucks.
Why Do Compasses Go Haywire Near the Poles?
A compass points to Earth's magnetic poles, and those are not the same as the geographic poles! Near the magnetic North Pole, the needle can tilt and wander.
Can You Grow Vegetables in the Polar Winter?
Yes, you can grow vegetables in the polar winter, if you grow them indoors! Some polar stations have special greenhouses with glowing pink lights.
How Do Supplies Reach the Bottom of the World?
Supplies reach the bottom of the world by ship, plane, and long overland tractor trips! Each way has its own job, and the weather decides the schedule.
Why Does Old Glacier Ice Fizz and Pop When It Melts?
Old glacier ice fizzes and pops because it holds tiny bubbles of ancient air! Those bubbles were squeezed in when the ice formed, under high pressure.
How Do Satellites Measure Ice From Space?
Satellites measure ice from space using laser light and radar! They time how long a signal takes to bounce back from the ground.
How Do Scientists Use GPS to Watch Ice Move?
Scientists place GPS stations on glaciers to watch how the ice moves! Each station records its own position, all the time.
How Can Radar See Through Ice?
Radar can see through ice because radio waves travel through it! The waves bounce off the rock below and come back as echoes.
Are There Lakes Hidden Under Antarctic Ice?
Yes! Hundreds of lakes are hidden deep under the Antarctic ice!
Is There a Volcano in Antarctica?
Yes! Antarctica has a volcano, and it is still active!
Why Are Melt Ponds on Ice So Bright Blue?
Melt ponds are bright blue because water soaks up red light and scatters blue light! The white ice below bounces the light back up.
What Is a Moulin?
A moulin is a deep, narrow shaft in a glacier where meltwater pours down! The word moulin means mill in French.
Why Does Melting Land Ice Raise Sea Level but Melting Sea Ice Does Not?
Melting land ice raises sea level, but melting sea ice hardly does! Sea ice already floats in the water, and it takes up as much space as it weighs.
Why Does White Ice Help Cool the Planet?
White ice works like a giant mirror for the planet! Bright snow and ice reflect most of the sunlight that hits them, like a mirror does.
Why Are the Poles Warming Faster than the Rest of the World?
Scientists measure that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet. One big reason is a loop, where melting ice leads to even more melting.
What Happens to Seals and Seabirds When Sea Ice Shrinks?
Seals, seabirds, and other animals use sea ice, so changes in the ice mean changes for them. When the ice forms later or melts earlier, animals may need to adapt.
What Is the Difference Between Old and New Arctic Ice?
New Arctic ice formed this winter, and old ice has survived at least one summer. They look different, and they act differently too.
Can a Flower Bloom Again After 30,000 Years Frozen?
Yes! Scientists grew a flower from a fruit that was frozen for about 30,000 years!
How Do Time-Lapse Cameras Watch Glaciers?
Time-lapse cameras turn slow glacier changes into a fast movie! They take a photo every hour for years.
How Do Seals Help Scientists Study the Ocean?
Seals help scientists by carrying tiny sensors into places no ship can go! The sensors measure the ocean while the seal swims and dives.
How Do Robots and Flying Machines Help Scientists on the Ice?
Robots and flying machines go where it is too cold or risky for people! They send back pictures and measurements to the scientists.
How Can Kids Help Scientists Count Penguins?
Kids can help count penguins from anywhere in the world, with a grown-up's help! Cameras in Antarctica take thousands of pictures of penguin colonies, all year long.
What Jobs Do People Do in Polar Science?
Polar science takes a whole team, with many different jobs, and maybe one is perfect for you! Some people study ice, some study the sea, and some study animals.
Why Must Visitors Wash Their Boots Before Entering Polar Places?
Visitors wash their boots to keep tiny hitchhikers out of polar places! Seeds, spores, and germs can ride along on boots and clothes.
What Can Kids Do to Take Care of Icy Places?
Kids can take care of icy places with small, steady habits! You can learn, share, save energy, and care for nature near home.
Do Other Planets Have Polar Ice Caps?
Yes! Other planets have polar ice caps too!
What Is a Whiteout?
A whiteout is when snow, clouds, and bright light blend together so everything looks white! The ground, the sky, and the horizon all look the same.
Can You Make Sea Ice at Home?
Yes, you can make sea ice at home, with a grown-up's help! Stir salt into water and chill it in the freezer.
What Polar Mysteries Are Still Waiting to Be Solved?
Many polar mysteries are still hidden, and maybe you will solve one! The poles are huge, cold, and hard to reach.
From Book 1: The Great Expedition (2)
Why Do Penguins Huddle? Teamwork Keeps Them Warm!
Penguins have a clever plan for staying warm in the cold. Wind steals body heat, so they gather in a tight circle where the birds on the outside block the wind for the group.
Why Do the Northern Lights Glow? A Sky Full of Color!
The Northern Lights are a glowing show high in the sky. The Sun sends out streams of charged particles, and Earth's magnetic field acts like an invisible shield that guides them toward the North and South Poles.
From Book 5: The Time Expedition (1)
From Book 7: The Weather Expedition (1)
From Book 8: The Space Expedition (1)
From Book 11: The Animal Expedition (5)
Why Do Polar Bears Look White If Their Skin Is Black?
A polar bear looks white because its hairs scatter light, not because they are white! Each hair is clear and has no color of its own.
Why Do Penguins Have Dense Feathers?
Penguins have dense feathers to stay warm and dry in icy water! Their short, stiff feathers are packed tightly, with fluffy ones underneath.
Why Do Emperor Penguin Dads Hold Eggs?
Emperor penguin dads hold the eggs because the moms need to go to sea to eat! Dad keeps the egg warm through the freezing Antarctic winter.
Why Do Arctic Foxes Follow Polar Bears?
Arctic foxes follow polar bears because the bears leave tasty scraps behind! In winter, food is hard to find in the Arctic.
Why Do Polar Bears Dig Snow Dens?
Polar bears dig snow dens because snow is a great blanket for newborn cubs! Mother bears dig the dens in big snowdrifts, and outside it may be freezing while inside stays much warmer.
From Book 12: The Volcano Expedition (1)
From Book 16: The Desert Expedition (1)
From Book 20: The Mountain Expedition (6)
How Does a Glacier Turn a Mountain Valley Into a U?
A river carves a valley shaped like a V, but a glacier turns it into a U! A glacier is thick and heavy, and it flows like a slow bulldozer.
How Does a Glacier Form High on a Mountain?
A glacier forms in high places where more snow falls in winter than melts in summer. Year after year, the snow piles up and gets squashed by its own weight.
What Are Moraines, the Rubble Ridges Left by Melting Glaciers?
Moraines are rubble ridges left behind by glaciers. As a glacier moves, it carries stones, gravel, and dust.
How Do Scientists Measure Whether a Mountain Glacier Is Growing or Shrinking?
Scientists can tell if a mountain glacier is growing or shrinking by keeping careful track of its ice. They use stakes, photos, GPS, and even lasers on airplanes.
What Is a Rock Glacier?
A rock glacier is a slow-moving river of broken rock and ice, shaped like a tongue. It creeps downhill just a few inches or feet each year.
Why Is Alpine Tundra So Easily Damaged?
Alpine tundra is easily damaged because the plants grow very slowly. Summers are short, and the soils are thin and rocky.
From Book 21: The Magnet Expedition (2)
How Do People Find Their Way in the Arctic When Compasses Wobble?
The Arctic is a land of ice and snow, and it is also close to the magnetic north pole. That makes a regular compass act strangely.
Do Auroras Glow on Jupiter and Saturn Too?
You may have heard of the auroras on Earth, the colorful northern and southern lights. But they are not only on Earth!
