Have we discovered all the land on Earth?

(Image source: Pixabay)

Question from Lois Hughes

Most scientists agree that we’re familiar with almost all of our planet’s surface. We don’t know for sure, but we can be fairly certain there aren’t vast and previously unknown territories waiting to be discovered. Of course, areas exist that we are yet to chart completely.

The closest thing we have to undiscovered terrain is Antarctica. The entire landscape is buried under ice that can reach depths of up to five kilometres. Rocky ground that is yet to be mapped lies hidden far beneath the frost, including the world’s sixth-largest lake by volume. Scientists studying our changing climate are drilling down to uncover the hidden region’s secrets.


Answered by Amy Grisdale for Brain Dump in How It Works issue 134.

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