White Islands (White Islands)
The White Islands are a group of ice-covered islands extending north–south for about 10 nmi. They lie at the east margin of Swinburne Ice Shelf and near the terminus of Butler Glacier in the south part of Sulzberger Bay. This feature is rudely delineated on the map of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1928–30, as "low ice cliffs" that rise above the level of the ice shelf. The islands were mapped in detail by United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1959–65. The name was applied by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) at the suggestion of Admiral R.E. Byrd. Named for Dr. Paul Dudley White, internationally renowned specialist on heart diseases, who was a consultant on medical matters in regard to U.S. Navy Operation Highjump, 1946–47, led by Byrd.
* List of antarctic and sub-antarctic islands
* List of antarctic and sub-antarctic islands
Map - White Islands (White Islands)
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.