Land mass on earth:Northern Hemisphere vs. Southern Hemisphere

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the comparison of land mass between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, exploring the reasons behind the distribution of land and the implications of including Antarctica in the analysis. The scope includes geographical observation, theoretical explanations, and considerations of continental drift.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the Northern Hemisphere has more land mass, citing the presence of most continents in this hemisphere.
  • Others suggest that the inclusion of Antarctica complicates the comparison, as it may make the land distribution appear more balanced between the hemispheres.
  • A participant proposes that the current distribution of land is a result of continental drift, indicating that the positions of continents are subject to change over time.
  • One participant mentions that over two-thirds of the continents are located in the Northern Hemisphere, but acknowledges that the reasons for this distribution are not fully understood.
  • Another participant highlights the historical variability of land distribution due to plate tectonics and suggests a potential equilibrium in the arrangement of continents and oceans.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the Northern Hemisphere has more land mass, but there is disagreement regarding the implications of including Antarctica and the reasons behind the current distribution of land. The discussion remains unresolved on the exact impact of these factors.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of "land mass" and the criteria for inclusion of specific regions (like Antarctica) are not explicitly stated. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the historical changes in land distribution due to geological processes.

Kerrie
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Does anyone know which hemisphere has more land mass? My guess is the Northern Hemisphere, and if that is fact, why is it so?
 
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You don't have to guess. You can look at a map or a globe of the Earth and see quite clearly that there is more land mass in the northern hemisphere. Why is it that way? I don't know but variation of elevation (plate tectonics) along with the availability of liquid water. Obviously, if there were no oceans then the two hemispheres would have the same "land mass!"
 
Northern Hemisphere has more land mass,i think.It is because most of contentient are in northern hemisphere.
 
I'm not so sure...
Are you guys including Antarctica in your conclusions? Makes the two Hemispheres look "almost" even to me. But I geusse the north still appears to have a little more. As for the "why", that's just a matter of timing, according to the theory of continental drift. As the continents slide around the Earth's surface, we just happen to be looking at them at a time when most are above the equator.

If Africa drifts any farther south, so the equator cuts through it just above the middle, rather than just below, then the southern hemisphere will have the greater landmass by far.
 
I recommend a quick trip to your local library which likely has a globe. Use it to estimate the area of all the land masses on the Earth - including Antarctica!
 
Over two thirds of the continents are on the Nortern hemisphere, Continents cover 29% of the globe whilst (love that word :smile:) 35% make up for the continental shells versus the deep oceans.

Why this is so, is "not understood" it certainly has been different in the past, with the "plate teconics" moving the continents around the globe. Also a curiosity is that most of the continents are antipode to an ocean. Antarctica and the Arctic ocean, North America and the Indian ocean. Asia and the south pacific etc. Probably some kind of equilibrium. There can also be a tendency for spinning masses to find the smallest 'Inertia tensor", having the poles move to a position that the annular momentum of the Earth is minimum. This is the basis of the http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~devans/iitpw/science.html
 
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