Franklin Island (Antarctica)
Franklin Island is an island 13 kilometres (7 nmi) long, lying in the Ross Sea about 130 kilometres (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.[1] Though located just 80 kilometres (50 mi) 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.[2] The island hosts a breeding colony of Adélie penguins.
  Franklin Island Location in Antarctica | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 76°5′S 168°19′E |
| Length | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Bernacchi Head (76°8′S 168°20′E) forms the southern extremity of Franklin Island. The Franklin Shoals (76°0′S 169°0′E) lie close by.
See also
- 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
References
- "Franklin Island". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
- "Franklin Island". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Geological Survey document: "Franklin Island". (content from the Geographic Names Information System)