Zinsmeister Ridge facts for kids
Zinsmeister Ridge is a high, rugged mountain ridge located in Antarctica. It stretches for about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers). This impressive ridge is found in the Sentinel Range, which is a part of the larger Vinson Massif area.
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What is Zinsmeister Ridge?
Zinsmeister Ridge is a long line of tall, rocky mountains. It runs towards the northeast from a peak called Schoening Peak. The ridge has several jagged peaks that reach heights of 2,000 to 3,000 meters (about 6,500 to 9,800 feet). Two of these notable peaks are Vanand and Toros Peak.
Where is Zinsmeister Ridge Located?
This mountain ridge is located in the Sentinel Range of Antarctica. It acts like a natural wall, separating two large ice rivers. On one side is the Hinkley Glacier, and on the other is the upper part of the Dater Glacier. Imagine it as a giant divider between two slow-moving rivers of ice.
How Zinsmeister Ridge Got Its Name
The ridge was officially named by the US-ACAN (United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names) in 2006. It was named after a scientist named William J. Zinsmeister.
Who Was William J. Zinsmeister?
William J. Zinsmeister was a professor at Purdue University in the United States. He was a researcher with the USAP. From 1975 to 1995, he spent many years studying ancient life forms. He focused on paleontology, which is the study of fossils. Specifically, he studied the fossilized remains of molluscs (like shells and snails) found on Seymour Island in Antarctica. The ridge was named in his honor because of his important work in the region.
Maps of the Area
You can find Zinsmeister Ridge on detailed maps of Antarctica. One such map is "Vinson Massif and the Sentinel Range," created by D. Gildea and C. Rada in 2007. This map shows the area at a scale of 1:50,000, which means it's very detailed.