Gamma Island facts for kids
 Gamma Island
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 64°20′S 63°0′W / 64.333°S 63.000°W |
| Archipelago | Palmer Archipelago |
| Highest elevation | 140 m (460 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Gamma Island is a small island located in Antarctica. It is about 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) long. This island is found at the very southwest end of the Melchior Islands. These islands are part of the Palmer Archipelago, a group of islands near the Antarctic Peninsula.
Contents
Discovering Gamma Island
Early Explorations
Gamma Island was first roughly mapped by a group of French explorers. This was during the French Antarctic Expedition, 1903–05. The expedition was led by a man named Jean-Baptiste Charcot. He named the island "Ile Gouts." However, this name was not used for long.
How Gamma Island Got Its Name
The island got its current name, Gamma Island, later on. It was likely named by people from the Discovery Investigations. This group explored the area in 1927. The name "Gamma" comes from the third letter of the Greek alphabet. This suggests that the island might have been the third one they named in a series.
Later Surveys
After the initial discoveries, more groups explored Gamma Island. Argentine expeditions also surveyed the island. They did this in 1942, 1943, and 1948. These surveys helped to map the island more accurately.
Location and Features
Gamma Island is part of the Palmer Archipelago. This archipelago is a chain of islands. It stretches for about 280 kilometers (170 miles). The islands are located off the northwest coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Gamma Island itself is uninhabited, meaning no people live there permanently. It is a remote and icy place, typical of the Antarctic region.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Observatorio (Antártida) para niños
