Astrolabe Island facts for kids
Astrolabe Island is a small island in Antarctica. It is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) long. You can find it in the Bransfield Strait, which is a body of water near the Trinity Peninsula. The island is located about 14 miles (23 kilometers) northwest of Cape Ducorps.
A French team discovered Astrolabe Island between 1837 and 1840. This team was led by Captain Jules Dumont d'Urville. He named the island after his main ship, the Astrolabe. Later, between 1956 and 1957, the island was photographed from the air. This helped scientists map its exact shape and location.
What is Astrolabe Island Made Of?
Astrolabe Island is mostly made of volcanic rocks. These are rocks that formed from ancient volcanoes. At the eastern part of the island, where people can land, you'll find a lot of a type of rock called mafic dolerite. This rock has large grains.
The island has some very steep, pyramid-shaped peaks. These are known as the Dragons Teeth. Scientists think these peaks might be the old openings, or "vents," of a volcano that was active a very long time ago. This ancient volcano was likely connected to a geological area called the Shetland subduction zone, which is to the north.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Astrolabe para niños
