15 Facts You Didn't Know About the Real North Pole
We ain't talking about Santa's workshop.
While everyone has their letters to Santa addressed to the North Pole, does anyone actually know what really goes down at the Arctic landmark? Let's take a look at these 15 fascinating facts about one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
There are multiple North Poles (sort of).
If we're getting technical here, there are actually two points that could be considered the real North Pole. The first is known as the north magnetic pole, which changes every day, depending on what's happening beneath the Earth's crust. The second is the north terrestrial pole, which is the fixed point that marks the top of the Earth. But both locations sit in the Arctic Ocean.
There is no land.
The fixed North Pole sits atop a thick sheet of ice that only measures about a foot above sea-level, and is continuously shifting.
One cold step for man...
In 1909, a man by the name of Robert Peary claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole. Similar to the moon landing many decades later, he planted an American flag in the ground. However, his claims of the expedition are very controversial, with many people doubting he actually made the trip.
Average temperatures aren't as cold as you think.
The summertime months tend to hit an average of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, while the holiday season sees temperatures go down to about -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's not the coldest Pole on Earth.
It's the second, behind the South Pole–which is located in Antarctica and averages a bone-chilling -76 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Brrrr!
It's a cost-effective shipping route.
If shipping companies traveling between Asia and North America take the Northern Sea route as opposed to the Panama Canal, they can save roughly $500,000.
It's a goldmine.
According to many geographical surveys, roughly 22% of the world's undiscovered oil resources rest beneath the Arctic seabed. Due to the melting ice, these resources are becoming more obtainable.
It doesn't belong to any country.
The northern Canadian territory of Nunavut sits closest to the North Pole, while Greenland comes in a near second. Because the N.P. is located in international waters, it's not owned by any specific country–but many nations have tried to stake their claim over the years.
How deep is the Arctic Ocean?
The North Pole region of the Arctic Ocean measures roughly 13,400 feet deep–which is equivalent to about ten Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other.
Lightning recently struck near the North Pole 48 times!
Historically, lightning hasn't been common for the North Pole. But the warmer Arctic temperatures as of late are welcoming lightning-producing thunderstorms. In summer 2019, a lightning storm was detected in the North Pole region, and struck roughly 48 times.
The sun rises and sets... once a year.
Due to the tilt of the Earth's axis, the North Pole experiences one sunrise during the March equinox and one sunset during the September equinox–making winter forever dark, and summer always sunny.
A star in the sky marks it's location.
The prominently glowing North Star sits about 434 light-years above the North Pole. It's fixed location has made it a vital navigation marker for centuries.
Who lives there?
While no humans live in the rough arctic conditions atop the globe, other life forms do call the climate home. The sea is filled with orcas, humpback whales, and several species of fish, while polar bears have been known to make appearances on the land above.
The Arctic is shrinking.
Within the next 50 years, the effects of global warming could melt the thick ice that takes up much of the Northern Sea Route surrounding the North Pole region.
Humans do visit.
Even though we don't live there, humans do travel to the North Pole. Scientists researching the North Pole set up temporary stations in the area or travel aboard research ships–but there are no permanent stations.
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