Franklin Island (Franklin Island)
Franklin Island is an island 7 nmi long, lying in the Ross Sea about 80 mi east of Cape Hickey, Victoria Land. It was discovered on January 27, 1841 by James Clark Ross, and named for Sir John Franklin, the noted Arctic explorer, who as Governor of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) had royally entertained the expedition on its way south at Hobart in 1840. Though located just 80 km north of Beaufort Island and appearing at first glance to be part of the same group, it is not usually considered to be part of the Ross Archipelago. The island is the eroded remnant of a shield volcano that formed 4.8 +/- 2.0 million years ago, the vent of which is now submerged off the east coast. The island hosts a breeding colony of Adélie penguins.
Bernacchi Head (-76.13333°N, 168.33333°W) forms the southern extremity of Franklin Island. The Franklin Shoals (-76°N, 169°W) lie close by.
* Composite Antarctic Gazetteer
* List of Antarctic islands south of 60° S
* Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
* Territorial claims in Antarctica
* List of volcanoes in Antarctica
Bernacchi Head (-76.13333°N, 168.33333°W) forms the southern extremity of Franklin Island. The Franklin Shoals (-76°N, 169°W) lie close by.
* Composite Antarctic Gazetteer
* List of Antarctic islands south of 60° S
* Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
* Territorial claims in Antarctica
* List of volcanoes in Antarctica
Map - Franklin Island (Franklin Island)
Map
Country - Antarctica
Antarctica is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent, being about 40% larger than Europe, and has an area of 14200000 km2. Most of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, with an average thickness of 1.9 km.
Antarctica is, on average, the coldest, driest, and windiest of the continents, and it has the highest average elevation. It is mainly a polar desert, with annual precipitation of over 200 mm along the coast and far less inland. About 70% of the world's freshwater reserves are frozen in Antarctica, which, if melted, would raise global sea levels by almost 60 m. Antarctica holds the record for the lowest measured temperature on Earth, −89.2 C. The coastal regions can reach temperatures over 10 C in summer. Native species of animals include mites, nematodes, penguins, seals and tardigrades. Where vegetation occurs, it is mostly in the form of lichen or moss.
Antarctica is, on average, the coldest, driest, and windiest of the continents, and it has the highest average elevation. It is mainly a polar desert, with annual precipitation of over 200 mm along the coast and far less inland. About 70% of the world's freshwater reserves are frozen in Antarctica, which, if melted, would raise global sea levels by almost 60 m. Antarctica holds the record for the lowest measured temperature on Earth, −89.2 C. The coastal regions can reach temperatures over 10 C in summer. Native species of animals include mites, nematodes, penguins, seals and tardigrades. Where vegetation occurs, it is mostly in the form of lichen or moss.