Antarctica Quiz

Notes:

• Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease caused by the RABV virus. Correct: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease caused by the RABV virus. It primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.
• Rabies is present on all continents except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in Asia and Africa. Correct: Rabies is present on all continents except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in Asia and Africa. It is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) that predominantly affects already marginalized, poor, and vulnerable populations.
• Rabies can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Incorrect: Rabies cannot be treated with antibiotics, as it is a viral infection and requires immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent the onset of symptoms.

Notes:

• Nematodes primarily feed on underground plant tissues such as roots and tubers. Correct: Nematodes are microscopic worms that primarily attack plant roots, rhizomes, tubers, and bulbs, causing damage to crops.
• Nematodes exist on every continent, thriving in deserts, swamps, oceans, tropics, and Antarctica. Correct: Nematodes have been reported from every continent on earth and occur in deserts, swamps, the oceans, the tropics and Antarctica.

Notes:

• It is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic viral disease caused by the RABV virus. Correct: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease caused by the RABV virus. It primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.
• Rabies is found on all continents except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths in Asia and Africa. Correct: Rabies is present on all continents except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in Asia and Africa. It is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) that predominantly affects already marginalized, poor, and vulnerable populations.
• India has set an ambitious goal to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2047. Incorrect: Unveiled in 2023 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying to eliminate rabies by 2030. It includes: Awareness, Surveillance, Vaccination, Dog population management and Real-time monitoring of rabies vaccine stocks and tracking of beneficiaries.

Notes:
All three statements are correct. The A23a is indeed the largest iceberg located in the Weddell Sea, covering approximately 4,250 square kilometers. The B-15 iceberg broke off the Ross Ice Shelf in 2000 and was the largest ever recorded at the time. The Pine Island Glacier Iceberg B-31 calved from Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier in 2013 and is notable for its size. This comprehensive understanding of natural ice formations validates the correctness of all three statements.

Notes:
Jet Streams are high-speed winds in the upper atmosphere. Katabatic Winds are cold and dense, flowing downwards, notably in Antarctica. Chinook Winds are warm winds, not cold. Pineapple Express brings moisture to California, not the polar regions.

Notes:
Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina hosts the largest ice cap outside Antarctica and Greenland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, established in 1937, spans over 726,927 hectares and is home to 47 active glaciers, including the well-known Perito Moreno Glacier. Divided by Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma, the park holds the scenic Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in its northern segment. The park’s varied ecosystem sustains unique species and attracts over 688,000 visitors every year, making it a favorite among nature lovers and providing a crucial research site for scientists studying climate change.

Notes:
The Northern Hemisphere contains more landmass, including Asia, Europe, and North America. The Southern Hemisphere is known for its extensive tropical regions around the equator, though it also holds land mass like Australia and most of South America. The Eastern Hemisphere includes parts of Africa, not the entire continent. The Western Hemisphere does not include all of Antarctica; Antarctica is divided by the prime meridian and therefore spans the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Notes:

• IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Located in the ice sheets of Antarctica, it was the first observatory to detect high-energy neutrinos from cosmic sources.
• India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO): Proposed to be set up in Tamil Nadu, INO focuses on studying atmospheric neutrinos using a large iron calorimeter (ICAL).
• Super-Kamiokande Neutrino Observatory: Located in Japan, it is a water Cherenkov detector designed to study solar, atmospheric, and supernova neutrinos.

Thus, Only One Statement is correct.

Notes:
Mount Vinson is the highest peak in Antarctica, standing at 4,892 meters (16,050 feet) above sea level. It is part of the Ellsworth Mountains and is located in the remote region of Antarctica, making it a challenging climb. Kaamya Karthikeyan, at the age of 17, recently reached the summit of Mount Vinson, completing the Seven Summits Challenge, which involves climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents. This achievement indicates not only her remarkable climbing skills but also the adventurous spirit of young explorers. The Seven Summits Challenge is a prestigious mountaineering goal that tests climbers’ endurance and skills across diverse environments.

Notes:
NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite captured images of ‘sea smoke’ rising from Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier, a phenomenon where frigid air meets warm water, creating fog-like plumes. This rare atmospheric event highlights the glacier’s vulnerability and the impact of strong winds on polar ice sheets. Sea smoke forms when cold air cools and condenses over open waters, resulting in ghostly ice crystal plumes that can influence ice mass balance. Pine Island Glacier is known for its rapid retreat and significant role in ice flow dynamics.