Hammer Col facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hammer Col |
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Location of Sentinel Range in Western Antarctica.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,800 m (12,500 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Western Antarctica |
| Parent range | Sentinel Range |
Hammer Col is a wide, ice-covered mountain pass in Antarctica. It sits high up at about 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level. This special spot is found between two huge mountain groups: the Vinson Massif and the Craddock Massif.
Both of these giant mountain groups are part of the Sentinel Range. The Sentinel Range itself is located in the Ellsworth Mountains in Western Antarctica. Hammer Col looks like a flat, wide saddle. It clearly separates the two massifs when you look at them from either side.
What is Hammer Col?
A "col" is like a low point or a pass between two mountains or peaks. Think of it as a saddle-shaped dip in a mountain range. Hammer Col is about 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 kilometers) wide. It's a key part of the area's "glacial divide."
Glacial Divide
A glacial divide is a high point where glaciers flow in different directions. From Hammer Col, ice flows into Dater Glacier to the northeast. It also flows into Gildea Glacier to the southwest. This makes it an important natural boundary for ice movement.
How Hammer Col Got Its Name
Hammer Col was officially named in 2006. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names. This committee helps decide names for places in Antarctica.
The col is named after William R. Hammer. He is a geology professor from Augustana College in Illinois. Professor Hammer spent many years, from 1977 to 2003, working in Antarctica. He was part of the U.S. Antarctic Program.
Discovering Ancient Life
Professor Hammer's main work was studying vertebrate fossils. These are the remains of animals with backbones. He mostly found these fossils in the central Transantarctic Mountains. His discoveries helped scientists learn a lot about ancient life on Earth.
