Question map
Which of the following statements regarding continent of Antarctica is/are correct? 1. It has the highest average elevation as compared to all other continents. 2. Mount Vinson is the highest peak of this continent.
Explanation
Antarctica is recognized as the highest continent on Earth in terms of average elevation. While other continents have higher individual peaks, Antarctica's massive ice sheet, which averages at least 1.6 km in thickness, raises its overall surface elevation significantly. Its average elevation is approximately 2,300 to 2,500 meters above sea level, which is far higher than any other continent; for instance, Australia's average is only 330 meters [1]. Regarding its topography, Mount Vinson (also known as Vinson Massif) is the highest peak on the continent, reaching an elevation of 4,892 meters (16,050 feet) [3]. It is located in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains in West Antarctica. Therefore, both statements regarding the continent's average elevation and its highest peak are geographically accurate.
Sources
- [1] https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/geography-and-geology/
- [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinson_Massif
- [3] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/mount-vinson/