Polar Deserts
Polar deserts are cold, arid regions of the Arctic and Antarctica receiving less than 250 mm (10 inches) of precipitation annually. These regions cover roughly 28 million square kilometers of the Arctic and Antarctica, making them the world’s largest desert type. Despite extreme conditions with temperatures recorded as low as -89°C (-128°F), exposed rock, permafrost, and hypersaline lakes, polar deserts support unique forms of life. These include extremophile microorganisms and specially adapted wildlife, such as polar bears in the Arctic and penguins in Antarctica.
While hot deserts may sound like an extremely uncomfortable place to find yourself, the frigid temperatures of the polar deserts may be just as deadly! But did you know that with the right preparation and expedition team, a visit can be a safe and exhilarating experience? Discover how these frozen landscapes offer some of the most spectacular adventures on Earth!
Key Characteristics of Polar Deserts:
- Location: Found in the Arctic and Antarctica, together covering around 28 million km² — the world’s largest desert type
- Climate: Extremely cold and dry, with less than 250 mm (10 inches) of annual precipitation and freezing temperatures
- Landscape: Vast ice sheets, permafrost, exposed rock, and hypersaline lakes shape these frozen environments
- Wildlife: Home to specially adapted species such as polar bears in the Arctic, penguins in Antarctica, and extremophile microorganisms
- Formation: Created by cold air masses that hold very little moisture, forming icy deserts instead of sandy ones
What is a Polar Desert?
You may picture a dry and extremely hot area when thinking of deserts, but deserts come in many different forms! The polar desert areas on Earth cover 14 million square kilometers (5.5 million square miles) of Antarctica and 13.9 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles) of the Arctic. Polar deserts represent critical components of the Earth’s cryosphere, influencing global climate systems. Arctic desert regions feature permafrost layers that remain frozen year-round, creating unique polar soil conditions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) classifies the Earth’s polar regions as polar deserts due to their specific climate conditions. These areas feature sparse vegetation and annual mean temperatures of 10°C (50°F) or lower. They also receive less than 25cm (10 inches) of precipitation per year, creating very dry climates. While both hot and cold deserts feature a similar annual precipitation, temperatures are polar opposites. Hot deserts like the Sahara Desert feature average daytime temperatures of up to 30 °C (86 °F), while nights can be near freezing. Polar deserts can reach record minimum temperatures of -89.2°C (-128.6°F), as recorded in 1983 at the Vostok Station in Antarctica.
There is a difference between true polar deserts and tundra areas. True polar deserts are barren with a permanent ice cover (apart from a few cases such as the Dry Valleys in Antarctica). Tundra regions feature permafrost, with a thin layer of soil thawing during the summer, allowing for limited plant life. The few plants that can grow in the tundra are perfectly adapted to withstand the long, cold winter months and use the short summers to grow quickly.
Arctic Polar Deserts vs. Antarctic Polar Deserts
Is there really a difference between polar deserts in the Northern and Southern hemispheres? To the untrained eye, it may look all the same: a relentlessly ice-covered and bleak place on the planet. But take a closer look! Read on and learn about the key differences between the Arctic and Antarctic deserts.
The Arctic Desert
You can find the Arctic desert areas close to the North Pole and surrounded by the Arctic Ocean:
- Only 5% of the Arctic desert is covered by plants such as lichens, mosses, and algae.
- Spot iconic polar bears! They are the perfectly adapted kings of the Arctic, featuring a thick insulating fur with hollow hairs and a substantial fat layer for energy storage. If you’re lucky, you can also observe them hunting on the ice.
- See Arctic foxes mastering seasonal color changes. Discover how their compact body and fur-covered paws help them stay warm and navigate the polar desert terrains.
- Humans live here: Inuit adapted to these extreme cold conditions and made the Arctic deserts their home.
- You can only spot a narwhal in the Arctic Ocean! (You can’t see them in Antarctica.)
- The Arctic desert territories consist of different nations and cover the northern parts of the Asian, European, and North American continents.
- A perfect place to experience Arctic desert conditions with incredible polar wildlife is the Svalbard archipelago!
- According to the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), more than 21,000 known species of cold-adapted animals, plants (including 1,700 vascular species), and fungi have adapted to survive in polar desert conditions.
The Antarctic Desert
“It’s an immense privilege to travel to Antarctica and one that comes with a responsibility to do so with no more than a minor or transitory impact,” reminds Lisa Kelley, deputy executive director of operations and government affairs at the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
The Antarctica desert is home to the South Pole in the continent’s interior and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean:
- The majority of the Antarctic continent is a true polar desert.
- According to the U.S. Antarctic Program, Antarctica receives an average of roughly 5 centimeters (2 inches) of precipitation per year continent-wide.
- Not all parts of the Antarctic desert area are covered by ice: the McMurdo Dry Valleys on the continent are dry, snowless, and cold deserts, with exposed soil.
- Antarctica attracts numerous research projects and is home to major polar research stations, including the McMurdo Station (U.S.), the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station (located directly at the geographic South Pole), and the Russian Vostok Station.
- Antarctica hosts the world’s largest salt lakes.
- Wildlife thrives only in the coastal areas, while in the dry interior area you mostly find microbes, soil invertebrates, algae, and lichens.
- The Antarctic polar deserts harbor unique microbiomes able to survive in arid conditions characteristic of polar desert biomes. These include extremophile organisms that form complex polar microbiome communities, surviving not only extremely cold temperatures but also radiation and salinity.
- No country in the world owns Antarctica.
- You can get a glimpse of how life on other planets may look like by visiting the deserts of Antarctica, featuring similar conditions to those on the surface of Mars! Since the 1970s, NASA has been conducting studies, such as testing instruments, in places like the ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys, which cover over 4,800 square kilometers (1,850 square miles). These valleys feature conditions similar to those found on Mars.
- For those who want to visit the Antarctic polar deserts, we recommend a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, as this region experiences milder conditions than the continent’s interior.
Conservation of Polar Desert Ecosystems
The polar deserts feature a unique environment and ecosystem adapted to extremely low temperatures and minimal snow and rainfall. However, rising temperatures and increasing human presence disturb the delicate balance of these coldest deserts on Earth. Species such as mosses and lichens, which have adapted to extremely dry conditions and low temperatures, may find themselves outcompeted by invasive organisms, which thrive in warmer and moister environments. The polar regions in general, but especially the polar desert in Antarctica with its massive ice sheet, are powerful climate regulators for our planet. The bright white, icy surfaces reflect a large portion of sunlight back into space (the albedo effect), helping to keep the planet cool. Polar glacier and ice-sheet masses account for over 70 percent of the Earth’s freshwater, and melting would contribute significantly to global sea-level rise.
These remarkable regions on Earth face unprecedented challenges that require immediate conservation attention. Organizations such as the Arctic Council focus on promoting sustainable development in the Arctic, environmental protection, and addressing climate change. In Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty System and related bodies such as the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) assess the environmental impacts of activities on and around the continent. The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) enforces responsible travel practices and ensures that visitors traveling to the polar regions understand these conservation challenges while exploring the delicate polar desert regions.
Climate Change Impacts
Changes to the Earth’s climate profoundly reshape the fragile polar desert ecosystems. Rising temperatures accelerate the melting of glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost, destabilizing landscapes that have been frozen for millennia. A warming in Antarctica in places such as the McMurdo Dry Valleys could prompt non-native species to appear, potentially displacing the native extremophiles. In the Arctic, warmer temperatures contribute to thinning sea ice and shrinking tundra permafrost, changing the habitats of polar bears, Arctic foxes, and many migratory birds. And it doesn’t just affect the regions themselves. Changes in polar weather patterns and ocean currents can influence global weather systems, resulting in stronger storms and changing precipitation patterns even at the mid-latitudes.
Visiting and Exploring Polar Deserts
The Arctic and Antarctic polar deserts are the largest in the world, and you can visit them! But why travel to a bleak, cold, and inhospitable place, you may ask…well, even the polar deserts are incredibly beautiful and full of life! While plant life is sparse and plant growth is usually limited to the short summer months, you can find perfectly adapted polar species such as mosses, lichens, grasses, fungi, and shrubs.
Most visitors come for the unique polar landscapes and exquisite wildlife viewing. Did you know that in summer the Arctic desert areas in Svalbard are in full bloom? While you may only find limited species in the extreme Dry Valleys of the Antarctic polar desert, the coastal regions boast a great variety of plant and animal life! Expect penguins, seals, rare seabirds, and whales, as well as the unbelievable polar landscapes of the Southern Hemisphere. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) focuses on keeping tourism sustainable, ensuring that no more than 100 people can explore ashore at any given time. This is why a small expedition ship like ours, the Sea Spirit, which is designed for around 100 guests, is the perfect vessel for polar cruises. This ensures that no rotations of groups during landings are needed and gives us ample time ashore.
Checklist for planning your polar desert adventure:
North or south?
Choose your favorite polar region and what you want to see. A hint: there are no polar bears in Antarctica and no penguins in the Northern Hemisphere!
How to travel
Choose the expedition that suits your adventurous spirit! There are various options, such as expedition cruises, adventurous ski and hiking trips, flightseeing, etc.
- Choose the right season
Based on over 26 years of polar expedition experience, we recommend travelling during the brief summer months, when polar wildlife is most active and temperatures are warmer. From November to February, temperatures in coastal Antarctica can reach around 1-2°C (35°F). We even offer camping in Antarctica for those who want to spend a special night ashore. From June to August, Arctic desert regions such as Svalbard feature not only warmer weather but also less sea ice, making voyages around the archipelago possible. - Small ship advantage
Our small expedition ship, the Sea Spirit, which is designed for around 100 travelers, offers the best way to explore the most remote locations of the Arctic and Antarctic. Our professional expedition team and experts will guide you through the incredible polar worlds. We also travel with a fleet of Zodiac boats for excursions, and adventure seekers can sign up for our kayak club! - Choose your cruise
Create your own adventure! If you want to see the incredible Antarctic polar desert regions, our signature Realm of Penguins & Icebergs cruise may be the perfect expedition for you. Find more details here: Antarctic Peninsula Cruises. Looking for a trip north? How about a unique Svalbard expedition adventure? Find more information here: Svalbard Expedition Cruises.
Catch the best season
If you want to make the most of your trip, it all depends on timing. Check our polar seasons calendar to see when it’s best to visit.
Gear up
The polar deserts require adequate preparation and clothing! Dress in layers and opt for insulating materials such as wool and synthetics. We also suggest investing in good footwear, wind- and waterproofing outside layers, hats, gloves, scarves, and sunglasses.
FAQs
Is there an Arctic desert?
The Arctic territory above 75 degrees north latitude is considered the Arctic desert region. It belongs to the cold deserts in the world, with less than 25 cm (10 inches) of precipitation per year, similar to the Sahara Desert. Polar deserts feature freezing temperatures and a year-round snow and ice cover. Svalbard, Greenland, Franz Josef Land, Severny Island, and Severnaya Zemlya are part of the Arctic desert.
What are examples of polar deserts?
The McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica are an example of an Antarctic polar desert area, while Greenland and Svalbard are examples of the Arctic polar desert.
Is a polar desert still a desert?
Yes, but it depends on whom you ask. The deserts of the polar regions are classified as such because they receive a minimum amount of precipitation. There are several opinions on how little rain and snow qualify a region to be a desert. Some accept 25cm (10 inches) or less annually, while others consider deserts to be areas that receive 12.5 cm or less. Another characteristic of deserts are strong dry winds.
Conclusion
Polar deserts are among the coldest, most remote, and most awe-inspiring places on Earth. From the wildlife-rich Arctic tundra to Antarctica’s vast interior, each polar desert is also a testament to the resilience of life. Plants, animals, and even microorganisms have learned to survive in extreme cold and some of the driest conditions on the planet. With a carefully prepared expedition cruise and an experienced expedition team, exploring the frozen deserts becomes not only safe but also deeply rewarding. Ready to experience the Earth’s largest deserts for yourself? Come aboard and join one of our iconic Arctic or Antarctic expedition cruises! See our next departures.
