Rennell Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rennell Glacier |
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Location of Heritage Range in Western Antarctica
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 Location in Antarctica
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| Type | tributary |
| Location | Ellsworth Land |
| Coordinates | 79°23′00″S 84°12′00″W / 79.38333°S 84.20000°W |
| Length | 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) |
| Thickness | unknown |
| Terminus | Splettstoesser Glacier |
| Status | unknown |
Rennell Glacier (79°23′S 84°12′W / 79.383°S 84.200°W) is a large river of ice found in the very cold land of Antarctica. It is about 10 nautical miles (which is about 18.5 kilometers) long. This glacier is located in a part of Antarctica called the Heritage Range, specifically in the Pioneer Heights.
Rennell Glacier flows towards the northwest. It moves past a place called Inferno Ridge and then joins up with another big glacier known as Splettstoesser Glacier. This glacier was named by a group of scientists from the University of Minnesota. They were exploring these mountains between 1963 and 1964. They decided to name it after K.P. Rennell, who was a biologist working with their team.
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a huge mass of ice that moves very slowly over land. Think of it like a very slow-moving river, but made of ice instead of water! Glaciers form in places where snow falls and builds up over many, many years. The weight of the new snow presses down on the old snow, turning it into ice.
Over time, this ice becomes so thick and heavy that it starts to flow downhill because of gravity. Glaciers can be found in high mountains or in very cold polar regions, like Antarctica. They are important because they store a lot of the world's fresh water.
Where is Rennell Glacier Located?
Rennell Glacier is found in Ellsworth Land, which is a large area in Western Antarctica. More specifically, it's in the Heritage Range, a mountain range known for its icy landscapes. Within the Heritage Range, the glacier is part of the Pioneer Heights.
This area is extremely cold and covered in ice and snow for most of the year. The glacier flows towards the northwest, meaning it moves from a higher elevation to a lower one in that direction. It eventually connects with the larger Splettstoesser Glacier, becoming part of a bigger ice system.
How Did Rennell Glacier Get Its Name?
Rennell Glacier was named by a group of explorers and scientists. They were part of the University of Minnesota Geological Party. A "geological party" is a team of scientists who study the Earth's rocks, land, and how it was formed. This particular group was exploring the mountains of the Heritage Range during the 1963-1964 research season.
They named the glacier after one of their own team members, K.P. Rennell. He was a biologist, which means he studied living things. It's common for explorers to name new discoveries, like glaciers or mountains, after people who were important to their expeditions or who made significant contributions to science.
