Adolphus Channel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adolphus Channel |
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 Adolphus Channel
Location in Queensland
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A map of the Torres Strait Islands, with the Adolphus Channel located south of Mount Adolphus Island in the Torres Strait
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| Location | Northern Australia |
| Coordinates | 10°41′20″S 142°36′51″E / 10.688958°S 142.614167°E |
| Type | Channel |
| Part of | Torres Strait |
| Ocean/sea sources | Coral Sea, South Pacific Ocean |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Managing agency | Torres Strait Island Region |
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The Adolphus Channel is a natural waterway located in the Torres Strait. It is also known as the Albany Passage. This channel is found northeast of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia.
The channel runs north of Albany Island. This island is part of the Manar group, which belongs to the Torres Strait Islands. To the south of the channel is Mount Adolphus Island.
A Busy Waterway
The Adolphus Channel is a very important route for ships. It helps vessels travel from the eastern coast of Australia, which faces the Coral Sea, to other areas. These areas include the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Arafura Sea.
At its narrowest point, the channel is about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) wide. Most of the channel is less than 20 meters (65 feet) deep. It opens up towards the west into the Torres Strait. To the east, it connects to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Underwater Features
The seabed of the Adolphus Channel has large underwater sand hills. These are called submarine dunes or sand waves. They can be up to 5 meters (16 feet) tall. These moving sand hills can sometimes make it tricky for ships to navigate safely.
A Famous Ship Accident
On February 28, 1890, a well-known ship called the RMS Quetta had an accident in the Adolphus Channel. The ship hit a rock and sank. This was a very sad event in the channel's history.
Islands Nearby
Several islands are located next to the Adolphus Channel. They are part of the Manar group of islands.
- Albany Island
- Bush Islet
- Eborac Island
- Ida Island
- Mai Islet
- Middle Brother Islet
- Tree Island
Ida Island is located north of Muddy Bay. The other small islands are next to Pioneer Bay. Pioneer Bay is on the northeast coast of Albany Island. Some islands and reefs in this area have two names. One is their common name, and the other is a traditional name from the Torres Strait Islander people.
See Also
