Murphy Inlet facts for kids
Murphy Inlet is a long, ice-filled bay located in Antarctica. It stretches for about 33 kilometers (18 nautical miles). This inlet has two branches at its far end. It lies between the Noville and Edwards Peninsulas, on the northern side of Thurston Island.
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What is Murphy Inlet?
Murphy Inlet is a narrow arm of the sea that reaches inland. It is filled with ice, which means it's covered by glaciers or frozen sea ice. Its length of 33 kilometers makes it quite a significant feature on the coast of Thurston Island. The two branches at its head make its shape unique.
Where is Murphy Inlet Located?
Murphy Inlet is found in a very cold part of the world: Antarctica. Specifically, it is on the north side of Thurston Island. Thurston Island is a large, ice-covered island off the coast of Ellsworth Land, a region of West Antarctica. The inlet sits between two land areas called the Noville and Edwards Peninsulas.
How Was Murphy Inlet Discovered?
Murphy Inlet was first mapped using pictures taken from the air. These aerial photographs were captured in December 1946. They were part of a big exploration mission called U.S. Navy Operation Highjump. This operation was a large United States Navy effort to explore and map Antarctica. It helped scientists and explorers understand the continent better.
Who Was Charles J. V. Murphy?
The inlet was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN). They named it after Charles J. V. Murphy. He was an important person in Antarctic exploration. Murphy worked as an assistant to Richard E. Byrd, a famous American naval officer and explorer.
Charles J. V. Murphy helped Admiral Byrd during his Antarctic expeditions. He was part of Byrd's expedition from 1928 to 1930. He also spent the winter in Antarctica as part of Byrd's expedition from 1933 to 1935. Naming the inlet after him honors his contributions to exploring this icy continent.
