Gamburtsev Mountain Range

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Gamburtsev Mountain Range
Range
Country Antarctica
Region East Antarctica
Highest point
 - elevation 3,400 m (11,155 ft)
 - coordinates 80°30′00″S 76°00′00″E / -80.5, 76

The Gamburtsev Mountain Range (also known as the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains) is a subglacial mountain range located in Eastern Antarctica, near Dome A, and is completely covered with snow and ice.[1] The range is named after Soviet geophysicist Grigoriy A. Gamburtsev,[2] and was discovered three years after his death in 1958 by the 3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition.[3][2] It is approximately 1200 km long, and the highest point is about 3,400 metres from base to point, although it is completely covered by over 600 m of ice and snow.[1] Gamburtsev Mountain Range is currently believed to be about the same size as the European Alps, and, as of 2008, it is unknown how the mountains were formed.[1] "Computer modelling suggests these great peaks were a nucleation point some 30 million years ago for the huge ice sheets now covering the continent" (quoted from BBC article cited below).

In preparation for the 2007-09 International Polar Year, a multinational project is being launched to gather information on the mountains.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Jonathan Amos. "Survey targets 'ghost' mountains", BBC, 2006-12-13. Retrieved on 2006-12-15. 
  2. ^ a b Australian Antarctic Data Centre (2000-1-01). Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains. Australian Government, Antarctic Division. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  3. ^ 20 лет открытию Полюса недоступности Антарктиды: Метеорология и Гидрология. 1979, №3. Гидрометеоиздат. (Russian). Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. Retrieved on 2007-01-26.
  4. ^ Bryan C. Storey (2006-3-23). The Gamburtsev Mountains: Integrated International Exploration of the Earths Most Enigmatic Mountain Range. International Polar Year.

[edit] External links

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