lõunapunkt

Lõunapunkt, also known as the South Pole, is the southernmost point on the Earth's surface. It is located on the continent of Antarctica, at a latitude of 90 degrees south. The South Pole is the opposite of the North Pole and is situated at the axis of the Earth's rotation. Due to the Earth's tilt, the South Pole experiences six months of continuous daylight followed by six months of continuous darkness.

The South Pole is characterized by its extreme cold, with temperatures often dropping below -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit). The region is covered by a thick ice sheet, which is approximately 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) thick at the South Pole. The ice sheet is formed from snow that accumulates over thousands of years, compacting under the weight of subsequent snowfall.

The South Pole is a popular destination for scientific research, particularly in the fields of astronomy, geology, and glaciology. The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, operated by the United States, is the only permanent human settlement at the South Pole. The station serves as a base for scientific research and supports various international research projects.

Despite its harsh conditions, the South Pole has become a symbol of human achievement and exploration. The first person to reach the South Pole was Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who arrived on December 14, 1911. Since then, numerous expeditions have been conducted to study the region and its unique environment.