Breccia Island facts for kids
 Breccia Island
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 68°22′S 67°1′W / 68.367°S 67.017°W |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Breccia Island is a small, low island located in Antarctica. It lies about 1.8 kilometers (1 nautical mile) northwest of the Tiber Rocks. You can find it in the northern part of Rymill Bay, which is off the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Discovering Breccia Island
Breccia Island was first seen and photographed in November 1947. This was done by the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (RARE). They used a special type of air photography called "trimetrogon" to take pictures from above.
Who Explored Breccia Island?
The Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (RARE) was an important journey to Antarctica. It was led by Finn Ronne, an American explorer. The expedition explored parts of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea.
How Did Breccia Island Get Its Name?
The island was named by Robert L. Nichols, who was a geologist with the RARE team. A geologist studies rocks and the Earth's structure. Nichols named the island "Breccia Island" because of the type of rock found there.
What is Breccia Rock?
The main rock on the island is a "plutonic breccia." A breccia is a type of rock made up of broken pieces of other rocks. These pieces are cemented together by a fine-grained material. "Plutonic" means the rock formed deep underground from molten rock (magma) that cooled slowly.
Life on Breccia Island
Breccia Island is an uninhabited island. This means that no people live there permanently. Like much of Antarctica, its harsh environment makes it difficult for humans to settle.
Antarctica's Special Rules
Breccia Island is part of the land covered by the Antarctic Treaty System. This international agreement sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve. It bans military activity and promotes international cooperation in research.
