Black Island (Ross Archipelago)

Black Island (78°14′S 166°20′E), in the Ross Archipelago, is immediately west of White Island. It was first named by the Discovery Expedition (1901–04) because of its lack of snow.[1][2] The island's northernmost point is named Cape Hodgson, commemorating Thomas Vere Hodgson, one of the oldest members of the Discovery Expedition.[3]

Black Island
An image of black island. In the foreground is a Skidoo brand snowmobile. In the background is a mountain range with a sunset behind it. Above, the sky is cloudy.
Black Island and Skidoos at sunset
Black Island is located in Antarctica
Black Island
Black Island
Location in Antarctica
Geography
LocationAntarctica
Coordinates78°14′S 166°20′E
ArchipelagoRoss Archipelago
Length12 mi (19 km)
Highest elevation1,041 m (3415 ft)
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System
Demographics
PopulationUninhabited

The highest point is Mount Aurora, a principal radio relay point.[1][4] Mt. Aurora was named between 1958-1959 for the Aurora, one of the ships on Shackleton's Expedition.[5] On the minor peak of Mount Melania[1] is the principal earth-based ground-station for the US Antarctic Program.[4]

Black Island is volcanic in origin, consisting of a series of trachytic lava domes and basaltic pyroclastic cones.[1] Potassium–argon dating of Black Island volcanic rocks has given ages ranging from 1.69 to 3.8 million years.[1][6] There are three main geological formations representing three eruptive sequences on Black Island: Nubian Basalt Formation, Aurora Trachyte Formation, and Melania Basalt Formation.[1] The lack of snow is not due to volcanic activity but rather the fact that it is protected from wind by nearby Minna Bluff.[7]

A topographical map of the Mount Discovery
A topographical map of the Mount Discovery area by the US Geological Survey. Black Island lies between 166-167°E and 78°00′-78°30′S.

See also

References
  1. Kyle, P.R. (1990). "A. McMurdo Volcanic Group Western Ross Embayment". In LeMasurier, W.E.; Thomson, J.W.; Baker, P.E.; Kyle, P.R.; Rowley, P.D.; Smellie, J.L.; Verwoerd, W.J. (eds.). Volcanoes of the Antarctic Plate and Southern Oceans. Antarctic Research Series. Vol. 48. Washington, D. C.: American Geophysical Union. pp. 113–116. doi:10.1029/ar048. ISBN 978-0-87590-172-5. Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  2. "Black Island". SCAR Composite Gazetteer. Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  3. "Thomas Vere Hodgson - Biographical notes". Cool Antarctica. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
  4. "Black Island". www.southpolestation.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  5. "Mount Aurora". Gazetteer - AADC. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  6. "Black Island". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  7. "Black Island". Gazetteer - AADC. Archived from the original on 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2021-08-02.


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