Moraine Fjord facts for kids

Moraine Fjord is a special inlet, like a narrow arm of the sea, located in South Georgia. It is about 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 kilometers) long. At its entrance, there's a natural barrier, a kind of reef, made from a large pile of rocks and dirt left behind by a glacier. This barrier is called a terminal moraine.

What is Moraine Fjord?

Moraine Fjord is found on the western side of Cumberland East Bay in South Georgia. It was first mapped by the Swedish Antarctic Expedition between 1901 and 1904. The leader of this expedition, Otto Nordenskjöld, gave the fjord its name because of the huge glacial moraine at its opening.

Discovery Point

On the west side of the fjord's entrance, you'll find a spot called Discovery Point. This area was also formed by a glacial moraine. The Swedish Antarctic Expedition surveyed it, but it was likely named later by people from the Discovery Investigations. These investigations took place between 1926 and 1931. The name probably honors their organization or their famous ships, the Discovery or Discovery II, which were used to explore South Georgia.

Carcelles Peak

Rising high above Moraine Fjord is Carcelles Peak. This mountain peak is over 1,065 meters (3,494 feet) tall and sits just south of the fjord's inner end. The South Georgia Survey mapped this peak between 1951 and 1957. The UK Antarctic Place-Names Committee (UK-APC) named it after Alberto Carcelles. He was a scientist who collected many biological samples on South Georgia for the Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires (National Museum of Buenos Aires).

Images for kids

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  This image was originally linked to a "See also" section for a Spanish Kiddle page about Moraine Fjord.