Berkner Island
Antarctic ice rise with two domes and a penguin colony.
via Wikipedia: List of islands by area · see source
- area
- 44,000 km² (17,000 sq mi)
- named_after
- American physicist Lloyd Berkner
Lore & Background
It is characterized by two domes: Reinwarthhöhe in the north (698 m) and Thyssenhöhe in the south (869 m).
Reader's Guide
Since 1990, Berkner Island has been a jumping-off point for a number of long-distance polar expeditions.
Did You Know?
- Berkner Island is also known as the Berkner Ice Rise or as Hubley Island.
- The island separates the Ronne Ice Shelf from the Filchner Ice Shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Berkner Island?
Berkner Island is a fully ice-covered Antarctic ice rise, also called the Berkner Ice Rise or Hubley Island, that sits within the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. It features two distinct domes and is home to a penguin colony.
How big is Berkner Island?
The island measures roughly 320 kilometers in length and 150 kilometers in width, covering about 44,000 square kilometers. Its highest point is reported at either 869 or 975 meters above sea level, depending on the source.
Who discovered Berkner Island and when?
It was identified during the 1957–1958 season by members of the United States International Geophysical Year party working out of Ellsworth Station. The feature was subsequently named for American physicist Lloyd Berkner.
What makes Berkner Island geologically distinctive?
It is an ice rise created because bedrock sitting below sea level forces the surrounding ice sheet to bulge upward into a dome shape. This makes it a notable structural feature within the broader Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.
What territorial claims overlap at Berkner Island?
The island lies in the zone where Argentina's and Britain's Antarctic territorial claims intersect. Both nations have asserted sovereignty over the area, leaving the island in a region of competing claims.
More in Islands Of The Pacific 1-19
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record