Antarctic Treaty & Research
Know that Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty (signed 1959, in force since 1961) — which sets Antarctica aside for peaceful purposes and scientific research, bans military activity and mining, and is signed by over 50 countries; understand that international research stations study climate, astronomy, biology, and geology, and that Antarctica is the closest thing on Earth to a continent for science rather than politics
What a learner can do afterwards
- State that the Antarctic Treaty (1959) sets Antarctica aside for peace and science, banning military activity and mining
- Know that over 50 countries have signed the treaty and that many operate research stations
- Name at least two areas of scientific research conducted in Antarctica: climate, astronomy, biology, or geology
The lesson
No country owns Antarctica. Instead, many nations signed an agreement called the Antarctic Treaty, promising to use the whole continent only for peace and science.
The treaty was signed in 1959 and became law in 1961. It bans weapons, soldiers, and mining anywhere in Antarctica. More than 50 countries have agreed to follow these rules.
At the South Pole, scientists point huge telescopes at the sky to study stars, since the air there is clear and dry. Nearby, other scientists drill deep into the ice to pull out ice cores, frozen samples that show what Earth's climate was like thousands of years ago.
If you ever wonder who is in charge of Antarctica, remember: no single country is. Scientists from many nations share it and work side by side instead of competing for land.
The Antarctic Treaty keeps Antarctica for peace and science, and scientists from more than 50 countries study its climate, stars, life, and rocks there together.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.