Disaster on the Ice

Antarctica

the ice-covered continent at the South Pole

Parts of Antarctica are some of the coldest, windiest, and driest places on Earth!

photo credit: Jody Hinterleitner/Shutterstock

expedition

a journey by a group of people for a specific purpose

Before our expedition through the Middle East, we studied our map to plan the route.

photo credit: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

stowaway

someone who hides on a ship, airplane, etc. in order to travel

As I was packing for my trip, I noticed a stowaway in my suitcase—my cat!

photo credit: Brian Hoffman/Alamy

mast

a long pole that supports the sails of a boat or ship

The storm was so bad that our mast snapped in half from the heavy winds.

photo credit: Ralf Liebhold/Shutterstock

frostbite

a condition in which part of your body, especially fingers or toes, becomes damaged because of extreme cold

I forgot to bring my gloves and became worried about getting frostbite.

photo credit: movchanzemtsova/Shutterstock

amputated

cut off

Leah’s leg was so badly injured from the accident that doctors said it had to be amputated.

photo credit: Hananeki_Studio/Shutterstock