Antarctica is the world’s southernmost and least-populated continent… Unless you count its colonies of penguins, which are estimated to number around 44 million according to the latest stats by the World Population Review. Known as the highest, driest, coldest, and windiest place on Earth, Antarctica also harbors the planet’s largest ice sheet.
Now, a new study reveals that the melting of this ice sheet—accelerated by the climate crisis—could trigger increased volcanic activity beneath the surface. What could this mean for Antarctica, our planet, and the 44 million penguins that call it home? Click through the gallery to uncover the latest findings.