Transantarctic Mountains
mountain range in Antarctica
The Transantarctic Mountains are a mountain range in the continent of Antarctica. It divides the continent into eastern and western region. It extends for over 3200 km.
Transantarctic Mountains | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Peak | Mount Kirkpatrick |
Elevation | 4,528 m (14,856 ft) |
Coordinates | 84°20′S 166°25′E / 84.333°S 166.417°E |
Dimensions | |
Length | 3,500 km (2,200 mi) |
Geography | |
Continent | Antarctica |
Range coordinates | 85°S 175°W / 85°S 175°W |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Cenozoic |
The Antarctic Peninsula to the west is not part of this range.
Life in the interior of the Transantarctic Range is limited to bacteria,[1] lichens, algae and fungi.
The name "Transantarctic Mountains" was first used in 1960, in a paper by geologist Warren Hamilton.[2]
References
change- ↑ Sokol, Eric; Craig W. Herbold; Charles K. Lee; S. Craig Cary; J. E. Barrett (Nov 2013). "Local and regional influences over soil microbial metacommunities in the Transantarctic Mountains". Ecosphere. 4 (11): art136. doi:10.1890/es13-00136.1. hdl:10919/24807. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ↑ Hamilton, Warren B. (1960). "New interpretation of Antarctic tectonics." Geological Survey Research 1960 — Short Papers in the Geological Sciences, pp. B379–380. Washington DC: US Geological Survey.