Way Archipelago (Way Archipelago)
The Way Archipelago encompasses more than 120 small islands and rocks, of which the largest is Stillwell Island, distributed close offshore in the form of an arc. The archipelago extends from the vicinity of Cape Gray, at the eastern side of the entrance to Commonwealth Bay, to the vicinity of Garnet Point at the western side of the entrance to Watt Bay, in George V Land, Antarctica. Most of the islands are relatively snow-free, even in winter, because of the strong katabatic winds that characterise the weather in the region. Stillwell Island and Garnet Point exhibit large garnet crystals in the metamorphic gneiss rocks that dominate the local geology.
The archipelago was discovered by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–14) under Douglas Mawson, who named the group for Sir Samuel Way, Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, in 1911.
The archipelago was discovered by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–14) under Douglas Mawson, who named the group for Sir Samuel Way, Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, in 1911.
Map - Way Archipelago (Way Archipelago)
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.