SmallWhale

Onyx River

Imagine a river that only flows for a little while in a super cold place called Antarctica!

Images

Onyx camping trailer at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

Onyx camping trailer at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

openverse
Scallops on limestone wall (Edwards Avenue, Great Onyx Cave, Flint Ridge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA) 8
Scallops on limestone wall of Great Onyx Cave (Flint Ridge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA) 2
River view, 360 ft. below ground level, Great Onyx Cave, KY
Scallops on limestone wall (Edwards Avenue, Great Onyx Cave, Flint Ridge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA) 6
Scallops on limestone wall of Great Onyx Cave (Flint Ridge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA) 1
FabFree Monthly Contest - [April 2009]
Onyx Mountain
Onyx California sign along State Route 178
Onyx Peak (?)
Scallops on limestone wall (Edwards Avenue, Great Onyx Cave, Flint Ridge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA) 5
Scallops on limestone wall (Edwards Avenue, Great Onyx Cave, Flint Ridge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA) 7

Key Facts

Location
Wright Valley, Antarctica.
Length
32 kilometers (20 miles).
Flows Into
Lake Vanda.
Fun Fact
It is the longest river in Antarctica.

A River in the Land of Ice!

The Onyx River is a very special river because it's found in Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth! It's not like other rivers you might know. This river is made from ice melting from a glacier, like a giant ice cube slowly dripping.

It flows for a short time during the Antarctic summer, which is like our winter but even colder. It's a meltwater stream, meaning it's born from melting ice and snow.

Where Does it Go?

This amazing river starts its journey from a place called Wright Lower Glacier and a lake named Lake Brownworth. It flows all the way to another big lake called Lake Vanda. The Onyx River is about 32 kilometers long, which is like walking from your school to a park a few miles away. It's the longest river in all of Antarctica, which is pretty cool for a place that's mostly ice!

When Does it Flow?

The Onyx River doesn't flow all year round. It only comes to life for a few months when the Antarctic summer arrives. During this time, the sun shines a little more, and the ice starts to melt, creating this flowing river. Once the weather gets colder again, the river disappears, and the ice takes over. It's like a magical river that appears and disappears with the seasons!

Antarctica's Longest Stream!

Even though it's a meltwater stream and only flows for a short time, the Onyx River is super important in Antarctica. It's the longest river on the entire continent! Think about how much ice there is in Antarctica, and this river is the longest path water can take across it. It's a unique part of this icy world, showing how even in the coldest places, water finds a way to move.

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