Since its discovery by Russian navigators in January 1820, Antarctica has not ceased to amaze researchers and travelers. After the scientific and meteorological stations began to work on it, it also became an important object for the observation and study of natural phenomena occurring on Earth and in space. We will go and we will take a virtual trip to the highest continent of the planet and find out what is the highest peak of Antarctica.
And on the differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic, we at TheBiggest.ru have an interesting article.
1
Vinson Peak (4,892 m.)
The highest point of Antarctica - Vinson's Peak, is included in the highest mountain range of the continent, and received its name by the name of the American politician Karl Vinson.
The height of the peak is 4,892 m, and it was discovered, like the entire massif, in 1957 during a flight around the mainland by plane. The mountain is covered with ice, and the difficulty of climbing is estimated at 4.5 points, which corresponds to the difficulty - above average.
The highest mountain in Antarctica is included in the unique project “Seven Peaks”, which every climber wants to conquer over his career.
2
Mount Tiri (4,852 m.)
On the map of the mainland, sheltered by snow and ice, the peak of Tiry is the second highest, and is located 13 km from the highest mountain range Vinson.
Airplanes of the 6th squadron of the U.S. Air Force discovered the peak during flights in 1958. But she received the name in honor of Rear Admiral David M. Thiry, who for 3 years commanded the US Navy, deployed off the coast of Antarctica in the early 60s.
At the beginning of 2018, six groups of climbers climbed the peak sparkling with ice at different times.
3
Mount Shinn (4,661 m.)
In the mountains of Ellsworth in western Antarctica, the third highest peak is located, named after the pilot of the US Navy Conrad S. Shinn. The pilot was awarded this honor because he was one of the first to land at the South Pole in 1956.
The summit, whose height is 4,661 m, was discovered during the 1958 expedition. It is an oblong plateau 12 km long and about 4 km wide.
Scientists and geologists for many years believed that the peak height was 4,800 m, and only in 2001 one of the Australian climbers finally set the Shinn height to 4,661 m.
4
Mount Gardner (4,587 m.)
The Gardner peak rises above the central part of the Sentinel ridge, in the Elsourian Mountains, and is named after the American pilot who died over Antarctica in 1959.
The mountain, with a height of 4,587 m, is located only 3 km from Tiri, and therefore climbers who have conquered the peak easily see the snow-covered slopes of the second largest mountain giant Antarctica.
The summit in Elsuert Land is difficult to climb, since most of it is covered by the enormous Patton Glacier.
By the way, about we have an interesting article about the largest glaciers in the world.
5
Mount Kerkpatrick (4,528 m.)
In English, the name of this high peak sounds like Mount Kirkpatrick, and its height is set quite accurately, and is 4,528 m.
It blends harmoniously into the ridge of Queen Alexandra of the majestic Transantarctic mountains. Kerkpatrick in the form of a domed peak rises above the blinding ice sheet of the mainland.
Climbers of all countries note that the best time to climb is April, and with a minimum of equipment, having good physical preparation, you can reach the top.
6
Elizabeth (4,480 m.)
One of the few mountains of Antarctica that is not covered by ice. And it is located in the massif of Queen Alexandra, next to a beautiful peak named Anna.
The height of Elizabeth is 4,480 m, and it was named after one of the members of the British expedition of 1907-1909, Elizabeth Dawson-Lambton. It was during this expedition that the peak was discovered.
There were also tragic pages in the history of the peak with a beautiful female name, when in 2013 a small plane crashed into the mountain with 3 passengers on board.
7
Rutford (4,477 m.)
The highest peak of the Craddock Mountains back in 2006 did not have its own name, and only then was named after Robert G. Rutford, who explored the mainland in the 60s of the twentieth century.
In 2006, the exact height of the summit was set at 4,477 m. Prior to this, two Australian climbers exploring Craddock and Vinson visually stated that the nameless mountain at that time was very high.
As GPS measurements later showed, Rutford is indeed 109 meters taller than Craddock.
8
Markem (4 350 m.)
The most beautiful mountain of the Queen Elizabeth Mountains of the Transatlantic Mountains rises above sea level to an altitude of 4,350 m.
Markem itself is unique in form, and consists of three peaks. Peaks were discovered during the British Discovery expedition, which took place in 1901-1904.
The open mountain was named in honor of the initiator of this most complicated at that time Arctic expedition, the President of the Royal Geographical Society, a talented person and an outstanding scientist Clement Robert Markem.
9
Sindley (4,285 m.)
One of the extinct volcanoes of the white mainland is the highest volcano in Antarctica, and it was discovered in 1934 during a flight around the territory.
The head of the expedition named the volcano in honor of the daughter of one of the main financiers of the Arctic expedition in the beginning of 1933-1935. Over time, the volcano was investigated, having established that its height is 4,285 m, although some converge at the figure of 4,181 m.
The first climb to the volcano in the land of Mary Byrd took place 56 years after its discovery, and the first to conquer the mountain was Australian Bill Atkinson.
At TheBiggest.ru you can also find out not only about the highest volcanoes on the planet, but also about the most powerful ones!
10
Bentley Peak (4,245 m.)
In the western part of the Sentinel mountain range is the majestic Mount Bentley, whose height is 4,245 m.
It was discovered during the expedition of 1958-1959, and was named in honor of the American geophysicist Charles Raymond Bentley. The American became famous for being one of the first to attempt to measure the thickness of the ice cover in western Antarctica.
The peak of Bertley, sheltered by snow and ice, is located very close to Mount Anderson, which is part of the same mountain range.
11
Anderson (4,254 m.)
The northern tip of the Sentinel Ridge is the high peak of Anderson, named after Vernon H. Anderson, one of the participants in the 1957 expedition.
It was repeatedly studied, and over time its exact height was set equal to 4,254 m. All data on the mountain were recorded in the Antarctic digital database, which is constantly updated during new studies and measurements.
Not far from Mount Anderson in the 50-60s of the last century, the Bird station was operating, which was closed under the demilitarization program of Antarctica.
12
Erebus (3,794 m.)
In conclusion, a little more about the volcanoes of the South Pole. The second highest volcano of Antarctica rises above the white silence to an altitude of 3,794 m, and it is comfortably located on Ross Island.
This magnificent handsome man was discovered in 1841, and in 1908 six daredevils of the Ernest Shackleton expedition climbed to its top. In the crater of the volcano is a lava lake. The volcano was named after the ancient Greek god, born of Chaos.
Erebus volcano is quite active, and its activity is constantly fixed, since 1972.
Finally
For comparison, it is worth mentioning that the lowest point of Antarctica is at 2,555 m below sea level, and this place is called the Bentley Basin.
As you can see, the high mountains of Antarctica are much lower than world record holders, but in terms of the overall height indicator, the sixth continent of the Earth is much ahead of other continents of our amazing and unique planet.
Article author: Valery Skiba