Ross Island

Ross Island
Ross Island, Antarctica. Topographical map, scaled one to two hundred and fifty thousand. Sourced from the United States Geological Survey
South end of Ross Island, with the pyramidal Observation Hill at the center of the image, between McMurdo Station and Scott Base. Crater Hill is visible to the right.
Ross Island is located in Antarctica
Ross Island
Ross Island
Geography
LocationAntarctica
Coordinates77°30′S 168°00′E / 77.500°S 168.000°E / -77.500; 168.000
ArchipelagoRoss Archipelago
Area2,460 km2 (950 sq mi)
Highest elevation3,794 m (12448 ft)
Highest pointMount Erebus
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System
Demographics
Population1300
Orthographic projection centered over Ross Island

Ross Island (77°30′S 168°00′E / 77.500°S 168.000°E / -77.500; 168.000) is an island in Antarctica lying on the east side of McMurdo Sound and extending 43 nautical miles (80 km; 49 mi) from Cape Bird in the north to Cape Armitage in the south, and a similar distance from Cape Royds in the west to Cape Crozier in the east. The island is entirely volcanic. Mount Erebus, 3,795 metres (12,451 ft), near the center, is an active volcano. Mount Terror, 3,230 metres (10,600 ft) about 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) eastward, is an extinct volcano. Mount Bird rises to 1,765 metres (5,791 ft) just south of Cape Bird.[1] Ross Island lies within the boundary of Ross Dependency, an area of Antarctica claimed by New Zealand.

  1. ^ Alberts 1995, p. 631.