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
The Transantarctic Mountains in northern Victoria Land near Cape Roberts
Highest point
PeakMount Kirkpatrick
Elevation4,528 m (14,856 ft)
Coordinates84°20′S 166°25′E / 84.333°S 166.417°E / -84.333; 166.417
Dimensions
Length3,500 km (2,200 mi)
Geography
ContinentAntarctica
Range coordinates85°S 175°W / 85°S 175°W / -85; -175
Geology
Age of rockCenozoic

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

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  1. 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.
  2. 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.