Mount Hassel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Hassel |
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|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,390 m (7,840 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Sverre Hassel |
| Geography | |
| Location | Antarctica |
| Parent range | Queen Maud Mountains |
Mount Hassel (86°28′S 164°28′W / 86.467°S 164.467°W) is a tall rock peak in Antarctica. It stands about 2,390 meters (7,840 feet) high. This mountain is located in the Queen Maud Mountains, which are part of the huge Transantarctic Mountains range. It's the most northeastern peak of a group of mountains found at the top of the Amundsen Glacier.
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Discovering Mount Hassel
Mount Hassel was first seen in November 1911. It was spotted by the team led by the famous Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. Amundsen's team was on an important journey to be the first to reach the South Pole. As they traveled across the icy continent, they observed many mountain peaks. They made rough maps of where these mountains were located.
The Historic South Pole Expedition
Roald Amundsen's expedition was a race against another explorer, Robert Falcon Scott. Amundsen's team used dog sleds to travel quickly across the snow and ice. They faced extreme cold and harsh conditions. Their success in reaching the South Pole first was a major achievement in exploration history.
Naming the Mountain
Roald Amundsen decided to name one of the mountains he saw after a member of his team. He chose to honor Sverre Hassel. Sverre Hassel was a skilled dog driver and a key part of the South Pole Party. Naming the mountain after him was a way to remember his important contribution to the expedition.
Official Recognition
Years later, the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names officially named this feature Mount Hassel. This committee helps name places in Antarctica. They chose this name to keep the historical connection to Amundsen's Norwegian exploration. They also wanted to remember the brave explorers who first saw these mountains. Other peaks in the same mountain group are also named after members of Amundsen's South Pole team.
Mapping Antarctica
The area around Mount Hassel was later mapped more precisely. This mapping was done by the United States Geological Survey. They used information from ground surveys and aerial photographs. These photos were taken by the United States Navy between 1960 and 1964. Detailed mapping helps us understand the geography of Antarctica. It also helps scientists study this unique and remote continent.
