Difference between revisions of "Template:Westarctica.wiki:Today's featured article"

 
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There is a long, proud tradition of '''[[United States Navy]]''' involvement in the exploration and governance of both [[Westarctica]] and the entire continent of [[Antarctica]]. Without the influence of the U.S. Navy, it's quite possible Westarctica would not exist at all.
'''[[Drift ice]]''' is the sea ice of the [[Southern Ocean]]. It extends far north in winter and retreats almost to the coastline each summer. Sea ice is frozen seawater that is usually less than a few meters thick. This is in contrast to [[Ice shelf|ice shelves]], which are formed by glaciers, float in the sea, and are up to a kilometer thick. There are two subdivisions of sea ice: fast ice, which is attached to land; and ice floes, which are not.


From the 1920s to the 1960s, the United States Navy led the world in exploration of [[Marie Byrd Land]], the most remote part of Antarctica, which remained largely unexplored and had not been claimed by any nation. Rear Admiral [[Richard E. Byrd]] was the driving force behind the Navy's penetration into the Great White Continent and his teams largely consisted of Navy personnel with some civilian scientists to support their operations. As a result of this heavy involvement of U.S. sailors and naval officers, most features in [[Westarctica]] were consequently named after them.
Sea ice in the Southern Ocean melts from the bottom instead of from the surface like Arctic ice because it is covered in snow. As a result, melt ponds are rarely observed. On average, [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] sea ice is younger, thinner, warmer, saltier, and more mobile than Arctic sea ice. Due to its inaccessibility, it is not as well-studied as Arctic ice.


From the early days of the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica|Achaean Territory]], active duty U.S. Navy sailors have always held prominent positions in the [[Royal Council|government]] and [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobility]] of [[Westarctica]].
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'''([[United States Navy|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 16:39, 25 October 2024

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Drift ice is the sea ice of the Southern Ocean. It extends far north in winter and retreats almost to the coastline each summer. Sea ice is frozen seawater that is usually less than a few meters thick. This is in contrast to ice shelves, which are formed by glaciers, float in the sea, and are up to a kilometer thick. There are two subdivisions of sea ice: fast ice, which is attached to land; and ice floes, which are not.

Sea ice in the Southern Ocean melts from the bottom instead of from the surface like Arctic ice because it is covered in snow. As a result, melt ponds are rarely observed. On average, Antarctic sea ice is younger, thinner, warmer, saltier, and more mobile than Arctic sea ice. Due to its inaccessibility, it is not as well-studied as Arctic ice.

(Full Article...)