What separates South America from Antarctica?

the Drake Passage
The Cape marks the northern edge of the Drake Passage, the strait separating South America from Antarctica. Weather and sea conditions are notoriously changeable in the region, and consequently it was nearly 200 years before the Antarctic continent was discovered, less than 400 miles to the south of the Cape.

How far apart are South America and Antarctica?

The total straight line distance between South America and Antarctica is 8947 KM (kilometers) and 86.61 meters. The miles based distance from South America to Antarctica is 5559.5 miles.

Is Antarctica and South America separated?

The South American–Antarctic Ridge (SAAR or AAR) is the tectonic spreading center between the South American Plate and the Antarctic Plate. It runs along the sea-floor from the Bouvet Triple Junction in the South Atlantic Ocean south-westward to a major transform fault boundary east of the South Sandwich Islands.

How close is the bottom of South America to Antarctica?

How Far is Antarctica from South America? The Antarctic Peninsula lies just over 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) from the port of Ushuaia, Argentina. The Antarctic Circle is about 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) from Ushuaia.

What country is closest to Antarctica?

The nearest countries to Antarctica are South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina. On Antarctica there are no cities or villages, 98\% of the continent is covered by ice.

Does South America touch Antarctica?

Which route to take: While 98\% of visitors approach Antarctica via the tip of South America, as this is the quickest and most accessible route, there are other ways to reach the white continent. Discover the main routes to Antarctica.

Is the Scotia Plate underwater?

The Scotia Plate (Spanish: Placa Scotia) is a tectonic plate on the edge of the South Atlantic and Southern oceans. At present, the plate is almost completely submerged, with only the small exceptions of South Georgia Island on its northeastern edge and the southern tip of South America.

Can you see Antarctica from the bottom of South America?

Antarctica can be reached from the USA via Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America or from New Zealand (less frequently Australia).

Where is Drake’s Passage?

Antarctica
The Drake Passage’s location is of particular interest to those journeying to Antarctica. It extends from Cape Horn at South America’s southernmost tip to Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands, and serves as the shortest route possible to the icy continent.