Ross Island

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For a similarly named island near Antarctica, see James Ross Island.

Map of Ross Island

orthographic projection centred over Ross Island

Ross Island is an island formed by three volcanoes in the Ross Sea by Antarctica, off the coast of Victoria Land in McMurdo Sound at 77°40′S, 168°00′E. Its area is 2,460 km². (950 sq mi.); only a small portion of the island is free of ice and snow. Sir James Clark Ross discovered it in 1841, and it was later named in honour of him by Robert F. Scott. The dormant volcano Terror (3230 m) and Erebus (3794 m), the planet's southernmost active volcano, are situated on the island. They were named by Ross after his ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. The third highest elevation is Mount Bird.

Despite its tiny size, Ross Island is the world's 6th highest island.

Ross Island was the base for many of the early expeditions to Antarctica. It was and still is the southernmost island reachable by sea. Huts built by Scott's and Shackleton's expeditions are still standing on the island, preserved as historical sites.

Land fast sea ice in the foreground. Ross Island in the background. 77° 30′ S Latitude 168° 00′ E Longitude.

Ross Island lies within the boundaries of Ross Dependency, which is claimed by New Zealand, whose claim is unrecognised by most other states.

Today Ross Island is home to New Zealand's Scott Base, and the largest Antarctic settlement, the U.S. Antarctic Program's McMurdo Station. Greenpeace established World Park Base on the island and it ran for five years, from 1987 to 1992.