Hawkes Heights facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hawkes Heights |
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 Hawkes Heights
Location in Antarctica
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,562 ft (2,000 m) |
| Prominence | 6,562 ft (2,000 m) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Geography | |
| Location | Coulman Island, Victoria Land, Antarctica |
Hawkes Heights (sometimes called Mount Hawkes) is a tall, ice-covered volcanic crater located on Coulman Island in Antarctica. It stands at about 6,562 ft (2,000 m) (2,000 meters) high. This impressive peak is the highest point on Coulman Island, which is found in the Ross Sea.
Discovering Hawkes Heights
Hawkes Heights is a very important landmark on Coulman Island. It is an ice-filled volcanic crater, meaning it's the top part of an old volcano that is now covered in ice. It stands out in the southern part of the island.
Where is Hawkes Heights?
This icy peak is located on Coulman Island, which is part of Victoria Land in Antarctica. The island itself is in the Ross Sea, a large bay in the Southern Ocean. Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, covered almost entirely by ice.
Who was Captain Hawkes?
Hawkes Heights was named by the New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition (NZGSAE) during their trip in 1958–59. They named it after Captain William M. Hawkes of the United States Navy.
Captain Hawkes was a very important person in early Antarctic exploration. He was a pilot who helped a lot with air operations from Williams Field, which is near McMurdo Station. He flew long-distance flights to take photos and deliver supplies. He even made the first-ever air landing at the South Pole!
On December 17, 1955, Captain Hawkes was the commander of one of the two planes that made a historic first flight. They flew all the way from Christchurch, New Zealand, to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The air photos he took were extremely helpful to the New Zealand explorers who were mapping Victoria Land.
