SEE IT: NASA SATELLITE REVEALS HUMMINGBIRD-SHAPED SECRET BENEATH ANTARCTICA’S ICE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n It is a frozen continent covered in miles of ice, battered by lashing winds<\/a>, and defined by one of the harshest environments on the planet: Antarctica<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ad\u00e9lie penguin is a species of penguin common along the entire coast of the Antarctic continent.<\/p>\n (Andrew Peacock \/ Getty Images)<\/strong><\/p>\n This frozen landscape completely turns our traditional understanding\u00a0of a desert inside out, highlighting that the ultimate record-breaker isn’t defined by heat at all, but by thirst.<\/p>\n Geologically, deserts are classified by precipitation<\/a>, not temperature. According to NASA<\/a>, they are primarily defined by an extreme lack of moisture caused by low annual precipitation<\/a>, typically receiving roughly 10 inches or fewer per year.<\/p>\n EMPEROR PENGUINS DECLARED ENDANGERED SPECIES AMID THE DECLINE IN SEA ICE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n True to this definition, Antarctica is not only the coldest and windiest continent, but also one of the driest.<\/p>\n Hanusse Bay, Antarctica – January 14, 2024: Cruise passengers of Seabourn Pursuit expedition ship enjoying the beautiful snow-capped mountains in Antarctica.<\/p>\n (NANCY PAUWELS \/ Getty Images)<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the United States Antarctic Program<\/a>, the continent receives only about 2 inches of precipitation per year \u2014 making this frozen continent a true desert.<\/p>\n Spanning approximately 5.4 million square miles, this expanse is roughly 1.5 times the size of the Sahara Desert<\/a>.<\/p>\n THE MYSTERY BEHIND THE ‘SAILING STONES’ OF DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This means that when you see snow<\/a> blowing across the landscape, it isn’t a new storm, but rather ancient crystals<\/a> being endlessly recycled by the fierce winds<\/a>.<\/p>\n 3D Render of a Topographic Bathymetry Map of the Antarctica. All source data is in the public domain. Color texture: Made with Natural Earth. http:\/\/www.naturalearthdata.com\/downloads\/10m-raster-data\/10m-cross-blend-hypso\/ Relief texture: ETOPO 2022 data courtesy of USGS. URL of source image: https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/products\/etopo-global-relief-model Water texture lakes: Made with Natural Earth. https:\/\/www.naturalearthdata.com\/downloads\/10m-physical-vectors\/ Water texture: HIU World Water Body Limits: http:\/\/geonode.state.gov\/layers\/?limit=100&offset=0&title__icontains=World%20Water%20Body%20Limits%20Detailed%202017Mar30<\/p>\n (FrankRamspott \/ Getty Images)<\/strong><\/p>\n Ironically,\u00a0despite receiving almost no new rain or snow, this massive landmass is buried under miles of thick ice \u2014 holding about 90% of the world’s ice<\/a> and 70% of its fresh water.<\/p>\n Because of these ultra-dry, sub-zero conditions, NASA<\/a> often compares the Antarctica Desert to Mars<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2196073570.jpg\")
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