Black Island (Ross Archipelago)#Melania Ridge

{{short description|Antarctic island}}

{{Infobox islands

| name = Black Island

| image_name = Black Island and Skidoos at Sunset.jpg

| image_caption = Black Island and snowmobiles at sunset

| image_alt = An image of Black Island. In the foreground is a Skidoo brand snowmobile. In the background is a mountain range with a sunset behind it. Above, the sky is cloudy.

| image_map_alt = A map of Antarctica with a dot indicating the location of Black Island off the coast.

| length_mi = 12

| map = Antarctica

| map_caption = Location in Antarctica

| nickname =

| location = Antarctica

| coordinates = {{Coord|78|12|S|166|25|E|region:AQ|display=inline,title|name=Black Island}}

| archipelago = Ross Archipelago

| total_islands =

| major_islands =

| area_km2 =

| width_km =

| elevation_m = 1041

| population = Uninhabited

| population_as_of =

| density_km2 =

| ethnic_groups =

| country = None

| treaty_system = Antarctic Treaty System

}}

Black Island ({{Coord|78|12|S|166|25|E|name=Black Island}}) is an island in the Ross Archipelago. It is {{convert|12|nmi}} long and projects through the Ross Ice Shelf to a height of {{convert|1,040|m}}. It was discovered by the British National Antarctic Expedition (Discovery Expedition, 1901–04), which named it for its appearance. The island is largely ice-free and primarily composed of black volcanic rock.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=70}} The island's northernmost point is named Cape Hodgson, named after Thomas Vere Hodgson, one of the oldest members of the Discovery Expedition.{{sfn|Thomas Vere Hodgson}}

{{TOC limit|2}}

Location

File:Mcmurdo (cropped).jpg

File:C78192s1 Ant.Map Mount Discovery.jpg

Black Island is in the Ross Ice Shelf, to the northeast of Mount Discovery, and southeast of the Brown Peninsula. White Strait runs past the east end of the island, separating it from White Island to the east. Minna Bluff is to the south.{{sfn|Mount Discovery USGS}}

Geology

Black Island is volcanic in origin, consisting of a series of trachytic lava domes and basaltic pyroclastic cones.{{sfn|Kyle|1990|pp=113–116}} Potassium–argon dating of the island's volcanic rocks has given ages ranging from 1.69 to 3.8 million years.{{sfn|Kyle|1990|pp=113–116}}{{cite gvp|vn=390816|title=Black Island|accessdate=2018-01-17}} There are three main geological formations representing three eruptive sequences on the island: Nubian Basalt Formation, Aurora Trachyte Formation, and Melania Basalt Formation.{{sfn|Kyle|1990|pp=113–116}} The lack of snow is not due to volcanic activity but rather the fact that it is protected from wind by nearby Minna Bluff.{{Cite web|title=Black Island|url=https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=112810|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-02|website=Gazetteer - AADC|archive-date=2014-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304004810/https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=112810}}

Features

{{geogroup}}

Features include, from south to north, Cape Beck, Mount Nubian, Mount Aurora, Mount Ochre, Mount Vision, Scallop Hill, Cape Spirit, Mount Melania and Cape Hodgson.{{sfn|Mount Discovery USGS}}

=White Strait=

{{coord|78|13|S|166|48|E}}. The small ice-filled strait between Black and White Islands. First mapped by the Discovery Expedition. Named by the New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition (NZGSAE, 1958–59) for M. White, a member of the party.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=810}}

=Cape Beck=

{{coord|78|18|S|166|16|E}}. A rounded, bare rock cape that forms the south end of Black Island. Named by the NZGSAE for A. C. Beck, the leader of the sub-party of the expedition which explored the island. Beck examined the southeast coastline and visited this cape.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=54}}

=Mount Estes=

{{coord|-78.27|166.3}}. A flattish mountain {{convert|2.5|nmi}} south of Mount Aurora in the southern part of Black Island. The mountain rises to {{convert|600|m}} high and is similar to the flat Cape Beck massif that forms the south end of the island. Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN, 1999) after Steve A. Estes of the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), who investigated the seismicity of nearby Mount Erebus between 1980 and 1982.{{sfn|Mount Estes USGS}}

=Stuckless Glacier=

{{coord|-78.27|166.2}}. A broad glacier in the southwest part of Black Island. It flows southwest between the Rowe Nunataks and Cape Beck to Moraine Strait, McMurdo Ice Shelf. Named by US-ACAN (1999) after John S. Stuckless, Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University (later United States Geological Survey), who in several seasons from 1972–73 investigated the geochemistry of McMurdo volcanic rocks, correlating samples from several Ross Island sites with the Dry Valley Drilling Project(DVDP) core samples obtained in the McMurdo Dry Valleys.{{sfn|Stuckless Glacier USGS}}

=Rowe Nunataks=

{{coord|-78.25|166.12}}. A cluster of nunataks {{convert|3|nmi}} northwest of Cape Beck in the southwest part of Black Island. Named by US-ACAN (1999) after C. A. Rowe of the UAF Geophysical Institute, who investigated volcanic activity and seismicity at nearby Mount Erebus from 1984–86.{{sfn|Rowe Nunataks USGS}}

=Dennis Knoll=

{{coord|-78.24|166.17}}. A gentle knoll that rises to approximately {{convert|400|m}} on the southwest shore of Black Island. The knoll is ice free on the west slope and stands {{convert|2|nmi}} southwest of Mount Vision. Named by US-ACAN (2007) after Dennis Hoffman, who in 2006 completed 20 years of service in support of the United States Antarctic Program, spending eight summer seasons and thirteen winters at McMurdo Station. The knoll is near the USAP communication facility on Black Island. The honoree's given name rather than surname was approved to avoid confusion with another nearby feature.{{sfn|Dennis Knoll USGS}}

=Mount Nubian=

{{coord|78|15|S|166|25|E}}. A sharp point of rock at the end of a ridge formed by a lava flow, situated {{convert|1|nmi}} southeast of Mount Aurora. The rock forming the mountain is a glossy basalt and appears exceptionally black. Named by the NZGSAE after the ethnic group native to Sudan.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=535}}

=Mount Aurora=

{{coord|78|14|S|166|21|E}}. A round-topped volcanic summit, {{convert|1,040|m}} high, the highest point on Black Island. Named by the NZGSAE after the SY Aurora, the vessel which conveyed the Ross Sea party of Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914–16) to McMurdo Sound.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=34}}

=Mount Ochre=

{{coord|78|14|S|166|33|E}}. A volcanic crater, partly eroded away, lying {{convert|3|nmi}} east of Mount Aurora. So named by the NZGSAE because reddish-brown scoria covers much of the upper slopes.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=538}}

=Mount Vision=

{{coord|78|13|S|166|15|E}}. A peak in the volcanic complex {{convert|1|nmi}} northwest of Mount Aurora. So named by the NZGSAE because of the view obtained of the peaks in this vicinity and of the Ross Archipelago and Minna Bluff area.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=786}}

=Jungk Hill=

{{coord|-78.2|166.43}}. A mostly ice-free hill {{convert|1.7|nmi}} northeast of Mount Aurora. Named after Robert A. Jungk []of ASA (Antarctic Support Associates), engaged in development and expansion of Black Island communication systems for several years beginning in 1989; ASA project engineer for the USAP Unattended Satellite Earth Station which became operational in 1995.{{sfn|Jungk Hill USGS}}

=Scallop Hill=

{{coord|78|12|S|166|44|E}}. A volcanic dome rising to {{convert|225|m}} high directly behind Cape Spirit. Named by the NZGSAE after a fossil-bearing conglomerate on top of the hill which contains bivalve specimens.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=651}}

=Cape Spirit=

{{coord|78|12|S|166|45|E}}. The easternmost point of Black Island, in the Ross Archipelago; visited by the NZGSAE and so named by them because of the almost constant winds blowing through the strait between Black and White Islands.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=702}}

=Vella Flat=

{{coord|-78.18|166.23}}. A coastal flat to the south of Lake Cole in the northwest part of Black Island; named by US-ACAN (1999) after Paul Vella, Department of Geology, Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), who made a reconnaissance survey of Brown Peninsula and Black Island stratigraphy with VUW's Antarctic Expeditions (VUWAE), 1964–65.{{sfn|Vella Flat USGS}}

=Melania Ridge=

{{coord|-78.15|166.28}}. A basalt ridge running southeast for {{convert|3|nmi}} from Mount Melania. Named by US-ACAN (1999) in association with Mount Melania.{{sfn|Melania Ridge USGS}}

=Lake Cole=

{{coord|-78.15|166.22}}. An ice-covered lake {{convert|1.5|nmi}} long, located south of Mount Ewart and Mount Melania. Named by US-ACAN (1999) after J. W. Cole, Department of Geology, Victoria University of Wellington, who with A. Ewart investigated the geology of Brown Peninsula, Black Island, and Cape Bird in the 1964–65 season.{{sfn|Lake Cole USGS}}

=Mount Ewart=

{{coord|-78.13|166.13}}. An ice-free mountain rising to {{convert|213|m}} high at the northwest side of Lake Cole and {{convert|1.5|nmi}} west of Mount Melania. Named by US-ACAN (1999) after A. Ewart of the New Zealand Geological Survey, who with J. W. Cole investigated the geology of Brown Peninsula, Black Island, and Cape Bird in the 1964–65 season.{{sfn|Mount Ewart USGS}}

=Mount Melania=

{{coord|78|07|S|166|08|E}}. A prominent rounded hill, {{convert|330|m}} high, at the north end of Black Island. It was first climbed by Hartley Ferrar and Louis Bernacchi of the Discovery Expedition. Named by the NZGSAE from a Greek word meaning black.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=483}} This peak is the location of the USAP's principal earth-based ground station.{{sfn|Black Island SPS}}

=Cape Hodgson=

{{coord|78|07|S|166|05|E}}. The northernmost cape of Black Island. Named by the NZGSAE for Thomas V. Hodgson, biologist of the Discovery Expedition, who with Reginald Koettlitz, Ferrar and Bernacchi was first to visit the island.{{sfn|Alberts|1995|p=337}}

See also

References

{{reflist |25em}}

Sources

{{refbegin}}

  • {{citation|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/fedgov/70039167/report.pdf |accessdate=2024-01-30 |edition=2

|editor-last=Alberts |title=Geographic Names of the Antarctic |editor-first=Fred G.

|publisher=United States Board on Geographic Names |year=1995}} {{Include-USGov |agency=United States Board on Geographic Names}}

  • {{Citation |ref={{harvid|Black Island SPS}}

|title=Black Island|url=https://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/90s/blackisland.html|access-date=2021-08-02|website=www.southpolestation.com|archive-date=2019-04-24

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424170850/http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/90s/blackisland.html|url-status=live}}

  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762518934 |name=Dennis Knoll}}
  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762518214 |name=Jungk Hill}}
  • {{citation|publisher=American Geophysical Union|isbn=978-0-87590-172-5|editor-last=LeMasurier|editor-first=W.E.|series=Antarctic Research Series|last=Kyle|first=P. R.|url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1029/AR048|title=Volcanoes of the Antarctic Plate and Southern Oceans|date=1990|volume=48|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=113–116|language=en|chapter=A. McMurdo Volcanic Group Western Ross Embayment|doi=10.1029/ar048|editor-last2=Thomson|editor-first2=J. W.|editor-last3=Baker|editor-first3=P. E.|editor-last4=Kyle|editor-first4=P. R.|editor-last5=Rowley|editor-first5=P. D.|editor-last6=Smellie|editor-first6=J. L.|editor-last7=Verwoerd|editor-first7=W. J.|access-date=2021-08-02|archive-date=2021-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802094956/https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1029/AR048|url-status=live}}
  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762517587 |name=Lake Cole}}
  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762517603 |name=Melania Ridge}}
  • {{citation |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:C78192s1_Ant.Map_Mount_Discovery.jpg |accessdate=2024-02-23

|title=Mount Discovery |publisher=USGS: United States Geological Survey |ref={{harvid|Mount Discovery USGS}} }}

  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762517595 |name=Mount Estes}}
  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762517596 |name=Mount Ewart}}
  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762517605 |name=Rowe Nunataks}}
  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=1762517623 |name=Stuckless Glacier}}
  • {{cite web |url=http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/biography/hodgson_thomas.htm |ref={{harvid|Thomas Vere Hodgson}} |title=Thomas Vere Hodgson - Biographical notes |publisher=Cool Antarctica |accessdate=January 13, 2010 |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614013536/http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/biography/hodgson_thomas.htm}}
  • {{cite gnis2 |type=antarid |id=17625 |name=Vella Flat}}

{{refend}}

{{Include-USGov |agency=United States Geological Survey}}