Subantarctic facts for kids

The Antarctica region and its boundary, the Antarctic Convergence.

The Subantarctic is a region in the southern hemisphere, located immediately north of the Antarctic region. This translates roughly to a latitude of between 46° and 60° south of the Equator. The subantarctic region includes many islands in the southern parts of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, especially those situated north of the Antarctic Convergence. Subantarctic glaciers are, by definition, located on islands within the subantarctic region. All glaciers located on the continent of Antarctica are by definition considered to be Antarctic glaciers.

Geography

The subantarctic region comprises two geographic zones and three distinct fronts. The northernmost boundary of the subantarctic region is the rather ill-defined Subtropical Front (STF), also referred to as the Subtropical Convergence. To the south of the STF is a geographic zone, the Subantarctic Zone (SAZ). South of the SAZ is the Subantarctic Front (SAF). South of the SAF is another marine zone, called the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ). The SAZ and the PFZ together form the subantarctic region. The southernmost boundary of the PFZ (and hence, the southern border of the subantarctic region) is the Antarctic Convergence, located approximately 200 kilometers south of the Antarctic Polar Front (APF).

Images for kids

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  Satellite image of central South Georgia: Harker Glacier, Cumberland Bay, Thatcher Peninsula, Allardyce Range, Mount Paget.

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  Neumayer Glacier, Cumberland West Bay, South Georgia, circa 1882-1883.

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  Neumayer Glacier, Cumberland West Bay, South Georgia, circa 1882-1883.

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  Nordenskjold Glacier, Cumberland Bay, South Georgia.

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  Diagram of the major ocean currents, showing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). In addition to the global thermohaline circulation, the ACC strongly influences regional and global climate.

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  Global thermohaline circulation strongly influences regional and global climate. Blue paths represent deep-water currents, while red paths represent surface currents.

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  Trees growing along the north shore of the Beagle Channel, 55°S.

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  Satellite image of the southern tip of Heard Island. Cape Arkona is seen on the left side of the image, with Lied Glacier just above and Gotley Glacier just below. Big Ben Volcano and Mawson Peak are seen at the lower right side of the image.

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  Retreat of San Rafael Glacier from 1990 to 2000. San Quintín Glacier is shown in the background

See also

In Spanish: Subantártico para niños