Bellingshausen Island facts for kids
South Sandwich Islands
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Location of Bellingshausen Island
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| Coordinates | 59°25′S 27°3′W / 59.417°S 27.050°W |
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United Kingdom
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Bellingshausen Island is a small, uninhabited island located far south in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the South Sandwich Islands, a group of islands that belong to the United Kingdom. This island is very close to Thule Island and Cook Island, and together they form a small cluster called the Southern Thule group.
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About Bellingshausen Island
Bellingshausen Island gets its name from its discoverer, Fabian von Bellingshausen. He was a famous explorer from Russia who explored the Antarctic region between 1819 and 1821. The island was named in his honor because of his important discoveries.
What is Bellingshausen Island Like?
Bellingshausen Island is actually a stratovolcano. This means it is a tall, cone-shaped volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, ash, and volcanic rock. The island is made of a type of volcanic rock called basaltic andesite.
The highest point on the island is called Basilisk Peak. It stands about 255 meters (837 feet) tall.
Recent Volcanic Activity
The island has a large crater that formed from a powerful explosion. This crater is about 500 feet (152 meters) wide and 200 feet (61 meters) deep. Scientists believe this explosive event happened sometime between 1968 and 1984.
Isaacson Point
The southeastern tip of Bellingshausen Island is known as Isaacson Point. This area was first mapped in 1930 by people on the Discovery II ship. They were part of the Discovery Investigations, which was a British research program. The point was named after Ms. S.M. Isaacson, who helped the staff of the Discovery Committee.
See also
In Spanish: Isla de Bellingshausen para niños
