Transantarctic mountains are a unique natural formation that "dissects" the mainland of Antarctica into several unequal parts. The area is characterized by the presence of an abundance of valleys and rocky peaks. Transantarctic mountains are an extremely rich place for fossil exhibits. Therefore, among the researchers in the field of paleontology, this ridge is known only as the "dinosaur museum".
A brief excursion into history
For the first time, the Transantarctic Range was marked on the map by British explorer James Ross in 1841. However, the pioneer failed to reach the foot of the local peaks. Only in 1908 did expeditions of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen cross the ridge during a long journey aimed at reaching the South Pole.
A thorough study of the Transantarctic mountains took place in 1947. For this, a special expedition was organized, which was called the "High Jump". The terrain was studied from airplanes. As a result, the researchers were able to compile fairly detailed geographical maps of the region.
Where are the Transantarctic mountains?
A system of ridges formed of rocky rocks stretches several thousand kilometers from the Weddell Sea to the Cotes Land. This is one of the longest mountain ranges in the world.
On what continent are the Transantarctic mountains? Geographers consider the ridge as a conditional boundary that separates East and West Antarctica. At a distance of about 480 km from this chain of rocks is the South Pole.
Geology
In a geological sense, the Transantarctic mountains are identified as a large exit of the earth's crust to the surface, which was formed as a result of active seismic activity about 65 million years ago. Other ranges that are located within the borders of the mainland of Antarctica are of much later origin.
What is the highest point here? Transantarctic mountains reach a height of 4528 m above sea level at a point called Kirk Patrick. In the rock deposits of this formation, the maximum number of fossil organisms is concentrated on the entire ridge. For tens of millions of years, optimal climatic conditions were maintained here for the life and development of living organisms, which actually explains the high concentration of their remains in the breed.
Interesting Facts
There are a number of fascinating points regarding the history of the study of the Transantarctic Range:
- In the middle of the last century, the largest iceberg ever discovered by researchers broke away from a local glacier. Its area was 31, 080 km, which exceeds the territory of some European states.
- Transantarctic mountains, in particular, their area called McMurdo, are the most arid place on the planet, where no precipitation has been observed for more than 2 million years.
- In the so-called Taylor Valley, which is part of the presented mountain range, there is a waterfall from which streams of blood-red hue flow. The researchers attribute this phenomenon to water saturation by the products of the activity of anaerobic bacteria.
- In the formation that is part of the highest peak of the Kerk-Patrick ridge, in the middle of the last century, the remains of a winged dinosaur were found. The dimensions of this fossil were equal to the size of a large crow. Near the site, fossils of a cryolophosaurus - a small carnivorous dinosaur - were extracted.
- At one of the extreme points of the ridge - Cape Adare, huts are built by the legendary Norwegian pioneer Karsten Borhgrevink. It was he who, in 1895, earlier than other researchers, stepped on the mainland of Antarctica. The buildings are pretty well preserved to our time, due to the extremely low temperatures that are observed in the region.
