East Antarctica is the larger portion of the Antarctic continent, comprising roughly two-thirds of its landmass and lying primarily within the Eastern Hemisphere south of the Indian Ocean. The Transantarctic Mountains form the boundary separating it from West Antarctica.
Also known as Greater Antarctica, this region sits at a higher average elevation than its western counterpart and contains the Gamburtsev Mountain Range at its centre. The geographic South Pole falls within East Antarctic territory. Permanent ice covers all but small coastal strips, creating an environment with notably sparse biodiversity — only limited species of terrestrial plants, animals, algae and lichens persist. The coasts provide essential breeding habitat for multiple seabird and penguin species, while leopard seals, Weddell seals, elephant seals, crabeater seals and Ross seals breed on the surrounding summer pack ice.
East Antarctica features in our Field Notes coverage of a rare crown and a squid recorded in the Antarctic dark.
