We imagine Antarctica as a frozen wilderness of glaciers and endless snow; yet tucked between towering mountains along the coast of the Ross Sea is a landscape that looks more like another planet than anything else. The McMurdo Dry Valleys stretch across roughly 4,800 square kilometers (1,850 square miles) and are the largest ice-free region in Antarctica. Visitors encounter bare gravel, rocky ridges, and valleys sculpted by powerful winds instead of thick ice sheets. Some parts of the terrain have remained largely unchanged for millions of years because precipitation is extraordinarily scarce and katabatic winds (cold, dense air rushing down from the Antarctic plateau) can exceed 200 miles per hour, which evaporates moisture before snow has a chance to accumulate. According to NASA , the Dry Valleys are among the closest natural environments on Earth to the surface of Mars, which makes them a valuable testing ground for planetary science and exploration.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
