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lsanborn t1_isme579 wrote

−20

thehazzanator t1_isojo8a wrote

It's only considered a desert as it gets so little rainfall per year. It's a permanent (not for long) ice sheet containing 90% of the earth's fresh water

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KypDurron t1_ispv9gl wrote

Are you under the impression that the literal mile of solid ice sitting on top of the Antarctic landmass is not freshwater?

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lsanborn t1_isqkk8y wrote

Guess I blew that one. The penguins are always shown on dry rocky land. So I guess that mile of ice doesn’t cover the whole continent. And salt water ice is a thing.

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KypDurron t1_isqu5v4 wrote

It covers 98% of the continent.

And ice formed from sea water has such a low salt content that it's potable - you can drink it (and not die of thirst).

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