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Butler Island (Antarctica) facts for kids

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Butler Island
Butler Island is located in Antarctic Peninsula
Butler Island
Butler Island
Location in Antarctic Peninsula
Location in Antarctica
Geography
Location Antarctica
Coordinates 72°13′S 60°8′W / 72.217°S 60.133°W / -72.217; -60.133
Width 11 km (6.8 mi)
Highest elevation 185 m (607 ft)
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System
Demographics
Population Uninhabited

Butler Island is a small, round island covered in ice, located in the cold continent of Antarctica. It sits about 13 kilometres (7 nmi) east of Merz Peninsula, which is part of Palmer Land on Antarctica's eastern coast. This island is about 11 kilometres (6 nmi) wide and rises to a height of 185 metres (610 ft).

Discovering Butler Island

Butler Island was first seen and photographed from the sky in December 1940. This important discovery was made by the United States Antarctic Service, a group exploring the Antarctic region.

Mapping the Island

Years later, in 1947, the island was photographed again from the air. This time, it was by the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition. They worked together with another group called the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS). Together, they created detailed maps of the island from the ground.

How Butler Island Got Its Name

The FIDS team decided to name the island after K.S.P. Butler. He was the commander of the FIDS operations during 1947–48. Naming places after explorers and leaders is a common way to honor their contributions to discovery.

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