Earth's Polar Regions
Do you wonder what Earth's Polar Regions are like? Where do polar bears live? Where do penguins swim? Why does the Sun never shine in winter in the Arctic? Why does aurora occur near the Earth’s Poles? How big are the Earth’s ice caps, and are they changing? The Earth’s Polar Regions are hosts to unique phenomena and ecosystems – both fascinating and beautiful. Explore the Earth’s Arctic and Antarctic through the links in this section.
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Explore Earth's Polar Regions
Geography and Geology at the Poles
Location The polar regions are the areas that surround Earth’s geographic North and South Poles. ...Read more
Magnetic Field at the Poles
Earth has a magnetic field. If you imagine a gigantic bar magnet inside of Earth, you'll have ...Read more
Polar Atmosphere
Phenomena in the Polar Atmosphere There are some unique phenomena that happen in the atmosphere ...Read more
Polar Oceans
There are two oceans in Earth’s polar regions: the Arctic Ocean, which occupies most of the ...Read more
Ice (The Cryosphere!)
The cryosphere includes the parts of the Earth system where water is in its frozen (solid) ...Read more
Polar Life
All sorts of living things call Earth’s polar regions home – from tiny lichens encrusting the ...Read more
Climate Change in Polar Regions
The effects of climate change are not felt with the same intensity in all parts of the world. ...Read more
Our Changing Planet
When we look around us, we can see that our planet's climate is changing rapidly. The National ...Read more
Arctic Cultures
There are people of different cultures and backgrounds who live in the Arctic region. Read ...Read more
Exploration at the Poles
Polar exploration includes the physical exploration of the Arctic and the Antarctica. The Arctic ...Read more
Postcards from the Poles
Antarctica is unique. It's cold. It's remote. And for the most part it is covered with ice. ...Read moreMore about Earth's Polar Regions
- Poles in Space
- Polar Games and Activities
- Resources for Teaching About the Poles and Cryosphere
- Polar Links
Global locations of visitors using this page right now
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Did you know?
Did you know that the Polar Regions of the Earth have unique forms of life adapted to extreme environments?Do you know what causes the different phases of the Moon?
Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day
Do you know what this word or phrase means?Orographic lift
xOrographic lift : Occurs when an air mass is forced to rise over geographic relief from a lower elevation. As the air mass rises it expands and cools adiabatically, which can raise the relative humidity to 100%, create clouds and precipitation.
Click on the word to find out!
Research Highlights
Marine Scientists, Students Find Widespread Floating Plastic Debris in North Atlantic Ocean
Despite growing awareness of the problem of plastic pollution in the world's oceans, little solid scientific information has existed about the nature and scope of the issue. This week, a team of researchers...Read more
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Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information.
