Matterhorn (Antarctica) facts for kids
The Matterhorn is a tall mountain peak in Antarctica. It is located in a place called Victoria Land. This peak is part of the Asgard Range and stands on Roa Ridge.
It is about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) (or 5,250 feet) high. This mountain looks over the northern part of Taylor Valley. It sits between two large ice rivers, the Lacroix Glacier and the Matterhorn Glacier.
Why is it Called Matterhorn?
The Matterhorn in Antarctica got its name from a famous mountain in Switzerland. The Swiss Matterhorn is well-known for its pyramid shape.
This Antarctic peak was named by Griffith Taylor. He was a scientist with the British Antarctic Expedition. This expedition explored Antarctica between 1910 and 1913. It was led by Robert Falcon Scott. Griffith Taylor thought the Antarctic peak looked a lot like the famous Swiss mountain.
Campbell Terrace
On the southern side of the Matterhorn, there is a special area called Campbell Terrace. This area is mostly flat and does not have ice. It is about 1,050 m (3,440 ft) (or 3,440 feet) high.
Campbell Terrace is surrounded by the lower parts of the Matterhorn Glacier and the Lacroix Glacier. It also borders the northern wall of Taylor Valley.
The New Zealand Geographic Board named this area in 1998. They named it after Iain Campbell. He worked for the New Zealand Soil Bureau. Iain Campbell spent more than 30 years doing research in Antarctica, starting in 1964.
