Scullin monolith

Scullin Monolith is a crescent-shaped rock fronting the sea 4 miles (6 km) west of Torlyn Mountain in Mac. Robertson Land. Early in January 1930 the British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) under Douglas Mawson made an aerial flight from the ship area. Mawson landed on the rock on February 13, 1931 and named it for James Scullin, Prime Minister of Australia in 1929 - 31.[1] The rock was charted in January and February 1931 from Norwegian whale catchers exploring along this coast, and named "Mount Klarius Mikkelsen" for Captain Klarius Mikkelsen, master of the whale catcher Torlyn. Mikkelsen Peak is retained as the name of the highest peak of the outcrop.

As it is not covered in snow or ice, it is an important breeding ground for birds, particularly petrels.[2]

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Antarctic Gazetteer: Scullin Monolith". Australian Antarctic Division. http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=1319. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
  2. ^ "Scullin Monolith: Topography and bird distribution". Australian Antarctic Division. http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/mapcat/display_map.cfm?map_id=13162. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Geological Survey document "Scullin monolith" (content from the Geographic Names Information System).