Farwell Island facts for kids
 Farwell Island
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 72°51′S 91°5′W / 72.850°S 91.083°W |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Farwell Island is a large island completely covered in ice. It is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) long and 19 kilometers (12 miles) wide. This icy island is located in Antarctica, a very cold continent. It sits between two other islands, McNamara Island and Dendtler Island. Farwell Island is found in the eastern part of the Abbot Ice Shelf.
About Farwell Island
Farwell Island is a significant landform in the icy landscape of Antarctica. Its entire surface is covered by a thick layer of ice. The island's size makes it an important feature in the region. It is part of the vast, frozen continent of Antarctica.
Discovery and Mapping
Farwell Island was first located in February 1961. This discovery was made by teams from two ships, the USS Glacier and the USS Staten Island. Later, in 1966, the island was carefully mapped. The United States Geological Survey used air photos taken by the United States Navy to create these maps. This helped scientists understand the island's shape and location.
How it Got its Name
Farwell Island was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names. This committee is responsible for naming places in Antarctica. The island was named after Captain Arthur F. Farwell. He was a very important person in the U.S. Naval Support Force in Antarctica. Captain Farwell served as Chief of Staff during "Operation Deep Freeze" in 1968 and 1969. This operation was a series of U.S. missions to Antarctica.
