![]() South end of Ross Island, with the pyramidal Observation Hill at the center of the image, between McMurdo Station and Scott Base. Crater Hill is visible to the right. | |
Geography | |
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Location | Antarctica |
Coordinates | 77°30′S 168°00′E / 77.500°S 168.000°E |
Archipelago | Ross Archipelago |
Area | 2,460 km2 (950 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 3,794 m (12448 ft) |
Highest point | Mount Erebus |
Administration | |
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
Demographics | |
Population | 1300 |
Ross Island (77°30′S 168°00′E / 77.500°S 168.000°E) is an island in Antarctica lying on the east side of McMurdo Sound and extending 43 nautical miles (80 km; 49 mi) from Cape Bird in the north to Cape Armitage in the south, and a similar distance from Cape Royds in the west to Cape Crozier in the east. The island is entirely volcanic. Mount Erebus, 3,795 metres (12,451 ft), near the center, is an active volcano. Mount Terror, 3,230 metres (10,600 ft) about 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) eastward, is an extinct volcano. Mount Bird rises to 1,765 metres (5,791 ft) just south of Cape Bird.[1] Ross Island lies within the boundary of Ross Dependency, an area of Antarctica claimed by New Zealand.