Ross Island facts for kids
Map of Ross Island
|
|
 |
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 77°40′S 168°00′E / 77.667°S 168.000°E |
| Administration | |
|
Antarctica
|
|
Ross Island is a special island in the Ross Sea, close to the continent of Antarctica. It was created by four big volcanoes!
Contents
Geography of Ross Island
Ross Island is often mistaken for part of Antarctica itself. This is because it is almost always covered in ice and snow. The island is about 2,460 square kilometers (950 square miles) in size. Only a small part of it is free from ice.
The island is home to some amazing volcanoes. One is Mount Erebus, which is 3,794 meters (12,448 feet) tall. It is the southernmost active volcano on Earth! This means it can still erupt. Another volcano is Mount Terror, which is 3,230 meters (10,597 feet) tall. It is a dormant volcano, meaning it is currently quiet.
These volcanoes were named by Sir James Clark Ross after his ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. The third highest peak on the island is Mount Bird. You can find glaciers like Shell Glacier on its slopes. Even though it's not huge, Ross Island is the 6th highest island in the world!
Discovery and Early Expeditions
A brave explorer named Sir James Clark Ross found this island in 1841. Later, another famous explorer, Robert F. Scott, named it after him.
Ross Island became a very important base for early trips to Antarctica. This is because it was, and still is, the southernmost island that ships can reach. You can still see huts built by Scott's and Shackleton's expeditions on the island. These huts are now protected as historical sites. They show us how tough these early explorers were!
Modern Bases on Ross Island
Today, Ross Island is still a busy place for science and exploration. It is home to New Zealand's Scott Base. It also has the biggest settlement in Antarctica, which is the U.S. Antarctic Program's McMurdo Station.
For five years, from 1987 to 1992, a group called Greenpeace also had a base here. It was called World Park Base.
Who Owns Ross Island?
Ross Island is part of an area called the Ross Dependency. This area is claimed by New Zealand. However, Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System. This treaty makes sure that the continent is used only for peaceful and scientific purposes.
Wildlife of Ross Island
Ross Island is a very important home for Adélie Penguins. About half a million (500,000) of these cute penguins live in a colony on the island!
Images for kids
-
South end of Ross Island
See also
In Spanish: Isla de Ross para niños
