Schirmacher Oasis | |
---|---|
Plateau | |
Location in Antarctica | |
Coordinates: 70°45′30″S 11°38′40″E / 70.75833°S 11.64444°E | |
Location | Queen Maud Land |
Range | Schirmacher Hills |
Offshore water bodies | Princess Astrid Coast |
Area | |
• Total | 34 km2 (13 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 228 (Mount Rebristaya) |
The Schirmacher Oasis (or Schirmacher Lake Plateau)[1] is a 25 km (16 mi) long and up to 3 km (1.9 mi) wide ice-free plateau with more than 100 freshwater lakes. It is situated in the Schirmacher Hills on the Princess Astrid Coast in Queen Maud Land in East Antarctica and is, on average, 100 m (330 ft) above sea level. With an area of 34 km2 (13 sq mi), the Schirmacher Oasis ranks among the smallest Antarctic oases and is a typical polar desert.