East Antarctica

East Antarctica is the largest and coldest desert on Earth, covering about 70% of the continent. It is an immense, ice-covered landmass predominantly composed of ancient, stable crust beneath a thick ice sheet that can be over 4 kilometers thick. This region is mostly uninhabited and remains largely untouched by human activity. It plays a crucial role in Earth's climate system by locking away vast amounts of freshwater in its ice and influencing global sea levels. Despite its extreme environment, East Antarctica is vital for scientific research, helping us understand climate history and future environmental changes.