Bonanza from the frozen continent

Abstract

Antarctica is a circumpolar continent surrounded by the Southern Ocean which is about 36 million sq kms and about 10% of the worlds oceans. Ice covers 98% of the continent and the rest is a non glacial terrain. Temperatures on Antarctica are extremely low. The temperatures vary from -15~'C in the coastal regions to -50~'C on the polar plateau of East Antarctica. The Southern Ocean and the geology of Antarctica are described. The copper deposits of Peru and Chile are considered to have their extension in Antarctica since the Antarctic Peninsula is the extension of Andean Orogen of South America. Sporadic occurrences of lead, zinc, silver and gold are known from Transantarctic Mountains. This could become target for future exploitation. The occurrence of hydrocarbon bearing strata along Antarctica offer hopes of oil and gas exploration. The icebergs, freshwater ice, from Antarctica if transported to water deficient part of world could solixe water scarcity problem. Antarctica can become a bonanza for any country but its political framework has to be settled