Editing Antarctica (section)

=== Mountains of Antarctica ===
Antarctica is home to several impressive mountain ranges, the most notable being the '''Transantarctic Mountains''', which stretch for about 3,500 kilometers and divide the continent into '''East and West Antarctica'''. These mountains are mostly buried under thick ice sheets, but some peaks rise sharply above the ice. The '''highest mountain''' on the continent is '''Vinson Massif''', which reaches a height of '''4,892 meters'''. These mountains not only shape the continent’s landscape but also influence ice flow, weather patterns, and glacial movement. Antarctica is believed to contain a wealth of '''minerals and fossil fuels''', including '''coal, oil, and natural gas'''. However, according to the '''Antarctic Treaty System''', mining and extraction of these resources are '''strictly prohibited''' to protect the fragile environment. This ensures that the continent remains dedicated to '''scientific research and environmental preservation''' rather than commercial exploitati

In the '''1980s''', scientists discovered a large '''hole in the ozone layer''' above Antarctica. The ozone layer is crucial for blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The depletion was mainly caused by human-made chemicals called '''CFCs chlorofluorocarbons'''. Thanks to international agreements like the '''Montreal Protocol''', ozone-depleting substances have been reduced, and the ozone layer over Antarctica is now showing signs of '''gradual recovery''', though monitoring continues. Penguins are the most iconic animals of Antarctica. They are specially adapted to survive in the '''extreme cold and icy conditions'''. Some well-known species include the '''Emperor Penguin''', the '''Adélie Penguin''', and the '''Chinstrap Penguin'''. Penguins primarily feed on '''fish, krill, and other marine organisms''', and they breed in large colonies on the ice and along the coast. These birds are a vital part of Antarctica’s ecosystem, serving as indicators of '''ocean health and environmental change'''.