What do you understand by the Arctic Paradox? Highlight the spatial distribution of mineral and energy resources in the Arctic region. (Answer in 250 words)

Arctic Paradox refers to the paradox of Arctic Amplification where there is increase in the melting of ice caps in Arctic due to an increase in the global temperature at Arctic Ocean region.

Spatial distribution -

(A) Mineral resources :-

1. There is fillence of unique mineral resources in Arctic.

2. This is reflecting by the presence of rare minerals in the Arctic.

[Diagram showing Arctic region with labels: North America, Russia, oil & gas reserves, Europe]

2. There is mineral like chromite, berrosite etc which are present.

3. Minerals in the biosphere and permafrost of Arctic ice also found.

(B) Energy Resources :-

1. Presence of oil and natural gas near the Arctic.

2. The Russian oil and gas fields are situated in Arctic region.

3. Most of the Caspian whale gas resources are also present.

[Diagram showing distribution: West America, Caspian region, gas hydrates, Europe]

4. There is presence of gas hydrates in Arctic region.

These mineral and energy resources enable the utility of Arctic region which is done by Arctic Council (1996) through scientific exploration.