Antarctica Holds 70% of Earth's Fresh Water—Locked in Ice

Antarctica is the planet's largest freshwater reservoir. Its ice sheet contains ~26.5 million km³ of ice, equivalent to 70% of global fresh water (or ~90% of all ice).

• Ice sheet averages 2.16 km thick; max 4.8 km.
• If melted, global sea level would rise ~58 meters.
• Liquid water exists only in subglacial lakes (e.g., Lake Vostok) and summer melt streams—negligible volume.

Despite this abundance, Antarctica is a polar desert (precipitation <50 mm/yr interior). The water is physically inaccessible without massive energy input. International treaties (Antarctic Treaty System) prohibit resource extraction, preserving it as a scientific preserve.