The Wright Valley ( 77°31′S 161°50′E / 77.517°S 161.833°E / -77.517; 161.833 ( Wright Valley ) ) is a large east–west trending valley, formerly occupied by a glacier but now ice free except for Wright Upper Glacier at its head and Wright Lower Glacier at its mouth, in Victoria Land , Antarctica. It was named by the VUWAE (1958-59) for Sir Charles Wright , for whom the BrAE (1910-13) named the glacier at the mouth of this valley.
73-672: The Wright Valley is the central one of the three large McMurdo Dry Valleys in the Transantarctic Mountains , located west of McMurdo Sound . Wright Valley contains the Onyx River , the longest river in Antarctica , Lake Brownworth, the origin of the Onyx River, and Lake Vanda , which is fed by the Onyx River. Its southwestern branch, South Fork , is the location of Don Juan Pond . The upland area known as
146-719: A 1969-1970 research party in McMurdo Dry Valleys. 77°29′S 162°05′E / 77.483°S 162.083°E / -77.483; 162.083 . Small peak, 1,790 metres (5,870 ft) high, about 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Mount Theseus. Named by the VUWAE (1958-59) for a figure in Greek mythology. 77°26′18″S 161°59′12″E / 77.438451°S 161.986636°E / -77.438451; 161.986636 . A ridge between Cerberus Valley and Clio Glacier. Named by NZGB (1998) after
219-558: A century of records, almost exclusively in the form of snow. This contributes to the low humidity of the area. For several weeks in the summer, the temperature increases enough to allow for glacial melt, which causes small freshwater streams to form. These streams feed the lakes at the base of the valleys, which do not have outflow to the sea, causing them to become highly saline. The McMurdo Oasis constitutes approximately 4,000 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi) of "deglaciated mountainous desert", according to McKelvey, bounded by
292-482: A drill designed for sampling on Mars in the permafrost of the driest parts of the valleys, the areas most analogous to the Martian surface. They found no living organisms in the permafrost, the first location on the planet visited by humans with no active microbial life. In 2014, drones were used in the McMurdo Dry Valleys by a team of scientists from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to create baseline maps of
365-484: A glacier, near the center of the south cliffs of Prentice Plateau, Olympus Range. The cirque opens south to Wright Upper Glacier. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Jack D. Hawkins, lead PHI helicopter pilot with USAP in eight consecutive field seasons from 1996-97. 77°28′39″S 160°37′49″E / 77.47747°S 160.630372°E / -77.47747; 160.630372 . A nearly rectangular plateau of about 9 square nautical miles (31 km ; 12 sq mi) at
438-508: A higher salinity than Lake Assal or the Dead Sea . The most saline of all is small Don Juan Pond . Mount Jason The Olympus Range ( 77°29′S 161°30′E / 77.483°S 161.500°E / -77.483; 161.500 ( Olympus Range ) ) is a primarily ice-free mountain range of Victoria Land , Antarctica, with peaks over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high, between Victoria Valley and McKelvey Valley on
511-493: A member of the 1971-72 United States Geological Survey (USGS) field party that established a network of horizontal and vertical control in support of compilation of topographic maps at the scale of 1:50,000 of areas of McMurdo Dry Valleys bounded by 160| and 164|E and 77|15' and 77|45'S. 77°26′57″S 162°08′25″E / 77.449302°S 162.140369°E / -77.449302; 162.140369 . A valley that trends north–south between Nottage Ridge and McClelland Ridge in
584-687: A metabolism based on iron and sulfur, live under the Taylor Glacier . The valleys are located within the McMurdo Valleys Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA-2). The Dry Valleys are so named because of their extremely low humidity and lack of snow or ice cover. They are also dry because, in this location, the mountains are sufficiently high that they block seaward-flowing ice from the East Antarctic Ice Sheet from reaching
657-466: A network of horizontal and vertical control in support of compilation of topographic maps at 1:50,000 scale, of areas of McMurdo Dry Valleys. 77°27′32″S 162°05′49″E / 77.458822°S 162.09705°E / -77.458822; 162.09705 . A ridge to the north of Mount Peleus that separates Baumann Valley and Sanford Valley in the east part of Olympus Range. Named by US-ACAN (1997) after George W. (Billy) Nottage, topographic engineer,
730-493: A participant in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Drilling Project, 1973-76. 77°30′11″S 161°47′52″E / 77.503193°S 161.797871°E / -77.503193; 161.797871 . A prominent rock spur 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) long that extends east-southeast from 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) Goldich Crest. The spur descends to 500 metres (1,600 ft) high at
803-539: A row of largely snow-free valleys in Antarctica , located within Victoria Land west of McMurdo Sound . The Dry Valleys experience extremely low humidity and surrounding mountains prevent the flow of ice from nearby glaciers . The rocks here are granites and gneisses , and glacial tills dot this bedrock landscape, with loose gravel covering the ground. It is one of the driest places on Earth, though there are several anecdotal accounts of rainfall within
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#1732787734268876-573: A salient angle in the northeast part of Prentice Plateau. Rude Spur descends from the east side of the mountain. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Dennis S. Cassidy, Curator of the Antarctic Marine Geology Research Facility and Core Library, Florida State University, Tallahassee, from 1962-1991. 77°30′23″S 160°41′14″E / 77.506463°S 160.687231°E / -77.506463; 160.687231 . A cirque between Hawkins Cirque and Dean Cirque on
949-617: A winter record led New Zealand's Antarctic Division and the National Science Foundation of the United States to plan a more permanent base in the valley. In 1968 New Zealand established Vanda Station near the eastern end of Lake Vanda. Download coordinates as: The Wright Valley is one of the McMurdo Dry Valleys . It runs from Wright Upper Glacier in the west to Wright Lower Glacier to
1022-712: Is interbedded with, the Taylor and Wright Valleys' moraines as basaltic cinder cones and lava flows . These basalts have ages between 2.1 and 4.4 Ma . The Dry Valley Drilling Project (1971–75) determined the Pleistocene layer within the Taylor Valley was between 137 and 275 m thick, and composed of interbedded sandstones , pebble conglomerates , and laminated silty mudstones . This Pleistocene layer disconformably overlies Pliocene and Miocene diamictites . Endolithic bacteria have been found living in
1095-545: Is 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) wide and its floor, 850 metres (2,790 ft) elevation, is nearly ice free. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) (1997) after Craig J. Martin , who had 10 years involvement in Antarctic construction and engineering projects at Siple, South Pole, and McMurdo Stations and various field camps in McMurdo Dry Valleys from 1977; from 1989, Director, Engineering, Antarctic Support Associates (ASA), with responsibility for
1168-413: Is based on iron and sulfur live in sub-freezing temperatures under the Taylor Glacier . It was previously thought that algae were staining the red ice emerging at Blood Falls but it is now known that the staining is caused by high levels of iron oxide . Irish and American researchers conducted a field expedition in 2013 to University Valley in order to examine the microbial population and to test
1241-422: Is pulled downhill by the force of gravity. The winds can reach speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph), heating as they descend and evaporating all water, ice and snow. The dry wind evaporates the snow rapidly and little melts into the soil. During the summer, this process can take only hours. Another important factor is a lack of precipitation. Precipitation averages around 100 millimetres (4 in) per year over
1314-909: Is separated from the North Fork by the Dais. Named by the VUWAE, 1958-59. 77°32′S 161°33′E / 77.533°S 161.550°E / -77.533; 161.550 . Lake, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) long, just east of the Dais in Wright Valley, Victoria Land. Named by the VUWAE (1958-59) after a dog used by C. Bull, leader of this party, in the British North Greenland Expedition. 77°32′S 161°42′E / 77.533°S 161.700°E / -77.533; 161.700 . Small lake 0.5 nautical miles (0.93 km; 0.58 mi) east of Lake Vanda. The name appears to have been applied in
1387-473: The Bull Pass , include (from west to east), Mount Aeolus, Cartwright Valley, Fritsen Valley, Harris Ledge, Mount Hercules, Parish Ledge, Mount Jason, Goldich Crest and Gonzales Spur. 77°29′S 161°16′E / 77.483°S 161.267°E / -77.483; 161.267 . Prominent peak, over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high, between Mounts Boreas and Hercules. Named by the VUWAE (1958-59) for
1460-597: The Labyrinth is at the valley's west end. Although portions of the interconnected valley system were discovered in 1903 by the Discovery expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott , the Wright Valley located near the centre of the system was not seen until aerial photographs of the region were made in 1947. By the mid-1960s scientists were becoming increasingly intrigued by the paradoxical fact that
1533-582: The Ross Sea . At 4,800 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi), the valleys constitute around 0.03% of the continent and form the largest ice-free region in Antarctica. The valley floors are covered with loose gravel, in which ice wedge polygonal patterned ground may be observed. The unique conditions in the Dry Valleys are caused, in part, by katabatic winds ; these occur when cold, dense air
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#17327877342681606-799: The Wilson Piedmont Glacier on the west coast of the Ross Sea . The range is bounded by the Balham Valley , McKelvey Valley and Victoria Valley to the north, and the Wright Valley to the south. Glaciers and snowfields include, from west to east, Nakai Snowfield, Orestes Glacier, Cerberus Glacier, Sandy Glacier, Enyo Glacier, Clio Glacier, Eos Glacier, Chinn Glacier and Clark Glacier . 77°29′18″S 161°31′35″E / 77.488399°S 161.526265°E / -77.488399; 161.526265 . A snowfield at about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) elevation that occupies
1679-573: The 1959-60 field season. 77°30′S 162°23′E / 77.500°S 162.383°E / -77.500; 162.383 . A small hanging glacier on the south wall of Wright Valley, between the Meserve and Goodspeed Glaciers. Named by United States geologist Robert Nichols for Roger Hart, geological assistant to Nichols at nearby Marble Point in the 1959-60 field season. 77°29′S 162°27′E / 77.483°S 162.450°E / -77.483; 162.450 . A small hanging glacier on
1752-656: The 1960's probably in association with nearby Bull Pass, or for physicist Colin Bull, for whom the pass is named. 77°33′S 161°31′E / 77.550°S 161.517°E / -77.550; 161.517 . A small lake 65 metres (213 ft) above the southern shore of Lake Vanda. Named by the Eighth VUWAE, 1963-64, after Canopus, pilot of Menelaus, the king of Sparta. 77°32′S 161°45′E / 77.533°S 161.750°E / -77.533; 161.750 . A meltwater stream which flows westward through
1825-728: The Asgard Formation , which is a medium-high-grade marble and calc schist . The Palaeozoic Granite Harbour intrusives include granitoid plutons and dykes , which intruded into the metasedimentary Skelton Group in the Late Cambrian – Early Ordovician during the Ross orogeny . The basement complex is overlain by the Jurassic Beacon Supergroup , which is itself intruded by Ferrar Dolerite sheets and sills . The McMurdo Volcanic Group intrudes, or
1898-748: The Asgard Range. Named by the NZ-APC, presumably in association with nearby Mount Thundergut, "donner" being a German word for "thunder." 77°35′S 161°32′E / 77.583°S 161.533°E / -77.583; 161.533 . A north-flowing glacier located just east of Plane Table in the Asgard Range. Named by NZ-APC for N.Z. film director Jeremy Sykes who perished in a helicopter accident at nearby Mount McLennan, Nov. 19, 1969. 77°35′S 161°50′E / 77.583°S 161.833°E / -77.583; 161.833 . A small glacier just east of Siegfried Peak and Siegmund Peak on
1971-479: The Dais in the South Fork of Wright Valley, Victoria Land. The pond was sighted on October 11, 1961 in a field reconnaissance by United States Navy helicopter. In the next three months, a USARP party with George H. Meyer and others made several trips to study the pond. They named it Don Juan Pond for Lieutenants Donald Roe and John Hickey, United States Navy Air Development Squadron Six, who were of assistance to
2044-542: The Dais. https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=124047 77°33′S 161°16′E / 77.550°S 161.267°E / -77.550; 161.267 . An elongated mesa between Labyrinth and Lake Vanda in the western part of Wright Valley, in Victoria Land. Descriptively named by the VUWAE, 1958-59. 77°34′S 161°11′E / 77.567°S 161.183°E / -77.567; 161.183 . A shallow saline pond located south of
2117-789: The Dry Valley Drilling Project; 1973-74, 1974-75, and 1975-76 seasons. 77°28′19″S 161°24′37″E / 77.472076°S 161.410361°E / -77.472076; 161.410361 . An upland valley to the north of the Mount Hercules summit area and west of Harris Ledge. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Christian H. Fritsen, microbiologist, Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV; USAP investigator of pack ice and lake ice from about 1992. 77°28′29″S 161°26′23″E / 77.474587°S 161.439794°E / -77.474587; 161.439794 . A flat, ice-free ridge to
2190-404: The Dry Valleys, sheltered from the dry air in the relatively moist interior of rocks. Summer meltwater from the glaciers provides the primary source of soil nutrients . Scientists consider the Dry Valleys perhaps the closest of any terrestrial environment to the planet Mars , and thus an important source of insights into possible extraterrestrial life . Anaerobic bacteria whose metabolism
2263-424: The Dry Valleys. The region is one of the world's most extreme deserts , and includes many features including Lake Vida , a saline lake, and the Onyx River , a meltwater stream and Antarctica's longest river . Although no living organisms have been found in the permafrost here, endolithic photosynthetic bacteria have been found living in the relatively moist interior of rocks, and anaerobic bacteria , with
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2336-510: The Greek god of the winds. 77°28′41″S 161°20′49″E / 77.478076°S 161.346905°E / -77.478076; 161.346905 . A hanging valley that is for the most part free of ice, lying east of Mount Aeolus. Named by US-ACAN (1997) after Keros Cartwright, Illinois State Geological Survey, who made hydrogeological studies with Henry Harris (Harris Ledge) in Victoria Valley, Wright Valley, and Taylor Valley during
2409-825: The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand, a glaciologist in McMurdo Dry Valleys for several seasons in the period 1974-93. Download coordinates as: Features to the north of Wright Upper Glacier and the Labyrinth , extending east to Mount Boreas and Mount Thrace, include (from west to east) Hawkins Cirque, Prentice Plateau, Mount Cassidy, Pentecost Cirque, Dean Cirque, Apollo Peak, Dipboye Cirque, Mount Electra, Leibert Cirque, Mount Dido, Mount Circe, Stuiver Valley, Mount Boreas and Mount Thrace. 77°30′32″S 160°35′12″E / 77.508923°S 160.586736°E / -77.508923; 160.586736 . A cirque about 0.5 nautical miles (0.93 km; 0.58 mi) wide, in part occupied by
2482-457: The Labyrinth. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Christopher T. Dean, PHI helicopter pilot with United States Antarctic Project (USAP) in eight consecutive field seasons from 1996-97. 77°30′S 160°48′E / 77.500°S 160.800°E / -77.500; 160.800 . A dolerite capped peak rising to 1,900 metres (6,200 ft) high west of Mount Electra. The peak was named by
2555-513: The McMurdo Dry Valleys Drilling Project, 1973-74. 77°29′51″S 162°04′25″E / 77.497584°S 162.073715°E / -77.497584; 162.073715 . A prominent ice free terrace south of Mount Peleus, at the south end of the east segment of Olympus Range. The terrace rises 800 metres (2,600 ft) high from the floor of central Wright Valley to a summit of over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Named by US-ACAN (1997) after Lois M. Jones, geologist, University of Georgia, leader of
2628-531: The NZ-APC in 1984 after the Minotaur, in association with names from Greek mythology in the Olympus Range. 77°33′S 161°03′E / 77.550°S 161.050°E / -77.550; 161.050 . An ice-free col at 600 metres (2,000 ft), connecting the east edge of the Labyrinth and the west edge of the Dais, in Wright Valley, Victoria Land. Named by US-ACAN (1997) in association with
2701-789: The NZ-APC in 1984 after work carried out by the NZARP. Named after the god Apollo, in association with other names from Greek mythology in this range. 77°30′13″S 160°50′01″E / 77.503618°S 160.833629°E / -77.503618; 160.833629 . A cirque on the south side of Olympus Range between Apollo Peak and Mount Electra. The cirque opens south to the Labyrinth. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Richard L. Dipboye, PHI helicopter pilot with USAP in eight consecutive field seasons from 1996-97. 77°30′S 160°52′E / 77.500°S 160.867°E / -77.500; 160.867 . Prominent peak, over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high, immediately west of Mount Dido. Named by
2774-495: The New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) (1998) after a New Zealand water bird. 77°28′00″S 162°40′00″E / 77.466667°S 162.666667°E / -77.466667; 162.666667 . A prominent cirque, 1.9 nautical miles (3.5 km; 2.2 mi) northwest of Mount Newall , Asgard Range, which occupies the south wall of Wright Valley between Denton Glacier and Nichols Range. The cirque
2847-534: The VUWAE (1958-59) after Cerberus, a three-headed dog of Greek mythology. 77°28′S 161°55′E / 77.467°S 161.917°E / -77.467; 161.917 . A small ice-free valley at the north side of Mount Orestes. Named in 1964 for its association with Mount Orestes by American geologist Parker E. Calkin. 77°28′S 161°55′E / 77.467°S 161.917°E / -77.467; 161.917 . Prominent peak, over 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) high, just east of Bull Pass. Named by
2920-415: The VUWAE (1958-59) for a figure in Greek mythology. 77°28′14″S 161°59′39″E / 77.470568°S 161.994089°E / -77.470568; 161.994089 . A peak rising to 1,750 metres (5,740 ft) high on the ridge at the head of Sandy Glacier and Enyo Glacier. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after John H. Wrenn, Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, a participant in
2993-600: The VUWAE (1958-59) for a figure in Greek mythology. 77°28′29″S 161°32′07″E / 77.474757°S 161.535191°E / -77.474757; 161.535191 . A flat-topped ridge 1,642 metres (5,387 ft) high on the east side of Bratina Valley. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Thomas R. Parish, Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, long-term USAP investigator of Antarctic katabatic winds, 1981-97. 77°29′S 161°37′E / 77.483°S 161.617°E / -77.483; 161.617 . Peak just west of Bull Pass. Named by
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3066-548: The VUWAE (1958-59) for a figure in Greek mythology. 77°28′S 160°58′E / 77.467°S 160.967°E / -77.467; 160.967 . Prominent peak over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high, standing just north of Mount Dido. Named by the VUWAE (1958-59) after a figure in Greek mythology. 77°28′55″S 161°01′42″E / 77.481946°S 161.028341°E / -77.481946; 161.028341 . A 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) high hanging valley, largely ice free, between Mount Circe and Mount Dido on
3139-476: The VUWAE (1958-59) for a figure in Greek mythology. 77°29′29″S 161°40′26″E / 77.491252°S 161.674007°E / -77.491252; 161.674007 . A peak, 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) high, between Mount Jason and Bull Pass. Gonzalez Spur extends east-southeast from the peak. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after S.S. (Sam) Goldich, Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL (later United States Geological Survey, Denver, CO);
3212-622: The VUWAE (1958-59) for a figure in Greek mythology. 77°30′00″S 160°55′00″E / 77.5°S 160.916667°E / -77.5; 160.916667 . A cirque between Mount Electra and Mount Dido on the south side of Olympus Range. The cirque opens south to The Labyrinth . Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Gregg Leibert, PHI helicopter pilot with USAP in seven consecutive field seasons from 1996-97. 77°29′S 160°57′E / 77.483°S 160.950°E / -77.483; 160.950 . Prominent peak, 2,070 metres (6,790 ft) high, between Mounts Electra and Boreas. Named by
3285-511: The VUWAE (1958-59) for a figure in Greek mythology. 77°30′00″S 161°07′22″E / 77.499868°S 161.12272°E / -77.499868; 161.12272 . A peak rising to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) high at the southeast side of Mount Boreas. The peak is connected by a ridge to the Mount Boreas massif. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Thrace, legendary home of Boreas. Central features, extending from Mount Aeolus east to
3358-647: The Wright Valley from Wright Lower Glacier to Lake Vanda. Mapped and named by the VUWAE, 1958-59. 77°28′S 161°42′E / 77.467°S 161.700°E / -77.467; 161.700 . A low pass through the Olympus Range, between Mount Jason and Mount Orestes , joining the McKelvey Valley and the Wright Valley. It was named by the VUWAE (1958-59) for C. Bull, who led this expedition. 77°26′S 162°45′E / 77.433°S 162.750°E / -77.433; 162.750 . A meltwater lake immediately west of Wright Lower Glacier at
3431-528: The coastline of south Victoria Land and the Polar Plateau . The Taylor and Wright Valleys are major ice-free valleys within the Transantarctic Mountains . These "dry valleys" include hummocky moraines , with frozen lakes, saline ponds, sand dunes, and meltwater streams. Basement rocks include the Late Precambrian or Early Palaeozoic Skelton Group metamorphic rocks , primarily
3504-488: The col between Mount Hercules and Mount Jason. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Nobuyuki Nakai, Department of Earth Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; a participant in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Drilling Project, 1973-76. 77°27′S 161°53′E / 77.450°S 161.883°E / -77.450; 161.883 . A narrow glacier within Orestes Valley, aligned along the valley's north wall. Named after
3577-817: The east extremity where it overhangs Wright Valley and forms the west side of the south entrance to higher Bull Pass. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Angel Gonzalez, Manager, United States Antarctic Resource Center, United States Geological Survey, 1996-2004. Eastern features, to the east of Bull Pass, include (from west to east), Mount Booth, Mount Cerebus, Orestes Valley, Mount Orestes, Wrenn Peak, Jones Terrace, Mount Peleus, Eurus Ridge, Baumann Valley, Nottage Ridge, Sanford Valley, McClelland Ridge, Poseidon Pond, Thomas Valley, Artemis Ridge, Mount Theseus, Mount Helios, Helios Ridge, Mount Allen and Mount Doorly. 77°25′53″S 161°45′48″E / 77.431432°S 161.7632221575°E / -77.431432; 161.7632221575 . A peak 1,575 metres (5,167 ft) high surmounting
3650-814: The east end of Wright Valley. The lake was mapped by USGS from surveys and air photos obtained in 1956-60. Named by US-ACAN for Frederick S. Brownworth, USGS topographic engineer who worked several seasons in Antarctica. In 1970-71 he supervised aerial photography of the dry valleys of Victoria Land, including this lake. Tributary valleys and hanging glaciers entering from the Asgard Range, from west to east, include Donner Valley, Sykes Glacier, Odin Valley, Heimdall Glacier, Bartley Glacier, Meserve Glacier, Hart Glacier, Goodspeed Glacier and Denton Glacier. 77°37′S 161°27′E / 77.617°S 161.450°E / -77.617; 161.450 . A small, mainly ice-free valley located north-northeast of Mount Thundergut in
3723-651: The east part of Olympus Range. Named by New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) (1998) after Enyo, a goddess of war. 77°26′13″S 162°02′20″E / 77.437069°S 162.038845°E / -77.437069; 162.038845 . A northeast-flowing glacier, 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) long, on the east side of Eurus Ridge. Named by NZGB (1998) after the Greek muse of history. 77°28′28″S 162°11′01″E / 77.474534°S 162.183488°E / -77.474534; 162.183488 . A south-flowing glacier, 0.6 nautical miles (1.1 km; 0.69 mi) long, between Mount Peleus and Mount Theseus in
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#17327877342683796-439: The east part of Olympus Range. Named by NZGB (1998) after the mythological goddess of the dawn. 77°27′53″S 162°14′51″E / 77.464743°S 162.247538°E / -77.464743; 162.247538 . A glacier 0.7 nautical miles (1.3 km; 0.81 mi) long on the south side of Mount Theseus. A hanging glacier, it terminates on the north wall of Wright Valley. Named by NZGB (1998) after Trevor J. H. Chinn of
3869-556: The east. It separates the Olympus Range to the north from the Asgard Range to the south. Features of the valley, from west to east, include the Labyrinth, Don Juan Pond, Dais, North Fork, South Fork, Lake Vanda, Lake Canopus, Onyx River and Lake Brownsworth. 77°33′S 160°50′E / 77.550°S 160.833°E / -77.550; 160.833 . An extensive flat upland area which has been deeply eroded at
3942-567: The field party. A new mineral, calcium chloride hexahydrate, was discovered in the pond. The name Antarcticite was proposed for the new mineral. 77°32′S 161°15′E / 77.533°S 161.250°E / -77.533; 161.250 . The northern arm of Wright Valley in Victoria Land. The feature is separated from the South Fork by the Dais. Named by the VUWAE, 1958-59. 77°34′S 161°15′E / 77.567°S 161.250°E / -77.567; 161.250 . The southern arm of Wright Valley in Victoria Land. The feature
4015-543: The junction of mountain ridges at the southwest end of Murphy Valley. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after John F. (Johan) Booth, science technician who wintered eight times at the USAP Palmer Station and South Pole Station between 1994 and 2004. 77°26′S 161°53′E / 77.433°S 161.883°E / -77.433; 161.883 . Prominent peak over 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) high, with many side peaks, between Lake Vida and Mount Orestes. Named by
4088-545: The management of engineering, construction, and facilities maintenance efforts that directly support United States scientific research in Antarctica. [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Geological Survey . McMurdo Dry Valleys 77°28′S 162°31′E / 77.467°S 162.517°E / -77.467; 162.517 The McMurdo Dry Valleys are
4161-469: The mythological god of the east wind. 77°26′58″S 162°04′29″E / 77.449427°S 162.074596°E / -77.449427; 162.074596 . A valley at the west side of Nottage Ridge in the east part of Olympus Range. Named by US-ACAN (1997) after Clinton L. Baumann, electronic technician, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, who was a member of the 1971-72 United States Geological Survey (USGS) field party that established
4234-723: The north and Wright Valley on the south. It is south of the Clare Range and north of the Asgard Range . The Olympus Range was mapped by the Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition , 1958–59, and named for the Mount Olympus , mythological home of the Greek gods . Peaks in the range are named for figures in Greek mythology . The Olympus Range extends from the Antarctic Plateau to
4307-501: The north of Mount Hercules. Named by US-ACAN (1997) after Henry Harris, Illinois State Geological Survey, who made hydrogeological studies with Keros Cartwright (Cartwright Valley) in Victoria Valley, Wright Valley, and Taylor Valley during the Dry Valley Drilling Project; 1973-74, 1974-75, and 1975-76 seasons. 77°29′S 161°27′E / 77.483°S 161.450°E / -77.483; 161.450 . Large, flat-topped, elevated feature between Mounts Aeolus and Jason. Named by
4380-597: The north side of Wright Upper Glacier and west of Apollo Peak. The upper surface about 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) high is ice covered except for scoured outcrops. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after Michael L. Prentice, Department of Earth Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; in USAP for 15 years from about 1983 including work in McMurdo Dry Valleys. 77°27′21″S 160°47′44″E / 77.455773°S 160.795539°E / -77.455773; 160.795539 . A mountain 1,917 metres (6,289 ft) high which forms
4453-435: The south side of Olympus Range. The cirque opens south to Wright Upper Glacier. Named by US-ACAN (2004) after John S. Pentecost, PHI helicopter pilot with USAP in seven consecutive field seasons from 1997-98. 77°30′20″S 160°45′11″E / 77.505551°S 160.753169°E / -77.505551; 160.753169 . A cirque between the southeast part of Prentice Plateau and Apollo Peak. The cirque opens south to
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#17327877342684526-668: The south side of Wright Valley. The name, given by NZ-APC, is one in a group derived from Norse mythology, Heimdall being the warden of Asgard. 77°34′S 161°58′E / 77.567°S 161.967°E / -77.567; 161.967 . A small glacier in the Asgard Range located between Mount Valhalla and Conrow Glacier. It flows part way down the north wall of the range toward Wright Valley. Named by US-ACAN and NZ-APC in consultation. 77°34′S 162°07′E / 77.567°S 162.117°E / -77.567; 162.117 . A small glacier, next westward of Bartley Glacier, that drains north from Asgard Range partway down
4599-481: The south wall of Wright Valley, between the Hart and Denton Glaciers. Named by United States geologist Robert Nichols after Robert Goodspeed, geological assistant to Nichols at nearby Marble Point in the 1959-60 field season. 77°29′S 162°36′E / 77.483°S 162.600°E / -77.483; 162.600 . A small hanging glacier which drains the northwest slopes of Mount Newall and terminates on
4672-438: The south wall of Wright Valley. Named by Roy E. Cameron, leader of a USARP biological party to the area in 1966-67, for Howard P. Conrow, a member of that party. 77°32′S 162°13′E / 77.533°S 162.217°E / -77.533; 162.217 . A hanging glacier on the south wall of Wright Valley, just west of Meserve Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for construction driver Ollie B. Hartley, United States Navy, who
4745-440: The south wall of Wright Valley. Named by United States geologist Robert Nichols for George Denton, geological assistant to Nichols at nearby Marble Point in the 1958-59 field season. 77°29′05″S 162°34′19″E / 77.484849°S 162.571882°E / -77.484849; 162.571882 . A pond, 0.25 nautical miles (0.46 km; 0.29 mi) long, between Mount Loke and the west side of Denton Glacier. Named by
4818-411: The three main valleys are West of Victoria Valley are, from north to south, Stretching south from Balham Valley are, from west to east: West of Taylor Valley is Further south, between Royal Society Range in the west and the west coast of McMurdo Sound at the lobe of Koettlitz Glacier are, from north to south: Some of the lakes of the Dry Valleys rank among the world's most saline lakes, with
4891-689: The valley by United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) in 1997. 77°27′S 161°54′E / 77.450°S 161.900°E / -77.450; 161.900 . A glacier, 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) long, fringing the south and east lower slopes of otherwise ice-free Mount Cerberus. Named by US-ACAN in 1997 in association with Mount Cerberus. 77°29′S 161°57′E / 77.483°S 161.950°E / -77.483; 161.950 . A very small glacier 600 metres (2,000 ft) high long and 75 metres (246 ft) high wide) located 0.6 nautical miles (1.1 km; 0.69 mi) east of Mount Orestes. The glacier
4964-400: The valley lay immediately adjacent to the permanent East Antarctic Ice Sheet , yet had remained ice-free for at least thousands of years. Although Lake Vanda is covered by roughly 3 metres (9.8 ft) of ice year-round, lake temperatures of 25 °C (77 °F) had been reliably measured at a depth of 65 metres (213 ft). Increasing summer field activity and a clear need to establish
5037-621: The vegetation. In 2015, the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute granted funding to AUT to develop methods for operating unmanned aerial vehicles . Over successive summer seasons in Antarctica, the AUT team created three dimensional maps with sub-centimeter resolution, which are now used as baselines. Part of the Valleys was designated an environmentally protected area in 2004. From north to south,
5110-682: The west and Mount Boreas on the east. Named by US-ACAN in 1997 after Minze Stuiver, geochemist, Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Quaternary specialist in dating Antarctic samples with United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) from 1969 to the time of naming; authority on the glacial history of the McMurdo Sound region and McMurdo Dry Valleys, the location of this valley (not completed). 77°29′S 161°06′E / 77.483°S 161.100°E / -77.483; 161.100 . Prominent peak, 2,180 metres (7,150 ft) high, between Mounts Aeolus and Dido. Named by
5183-492: The west end of Wright Valley, in Victoria Land. So named by the VUWAE (1958-59) because the eroded dolerite of which it is formed gives an appearance of a labyrinth. 77°30′S 160°50′E / 77.500°S 160.833°E / -77.500; 160.833 . A pass, or saddle, at about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) between Apollo Peak and Mount Electra in the Olympus Range, Victoria Land. The pass permits walking access to Wright Valley from McKelvey Valley. Named by
5256-512: Was killed on January 14, 1957, when the vehicle (weasel) he was driving dropped through the sea ice at Hut Point, McMurdo Sound. 77°31′S 162°17′E / 77.517°S 162.283°E / -77.517; 162.283 . A hanging glacier on the south wall of Wright Valley, between the Bartley and Hart Glaciers. Named by United States geologist Robert Nichols for William Meserve, geological assistant to Nichols at nearby Marble Point in
5329-525: Was studied and named by Wakefield Dort, United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) geologist with the University of Kansas Expedition (1965-66), who reported that it is composed throughout of interbedded ice and sand layers. 77°28′47″S 162°00′36″E / 77.47968°S 162.009964°E / -77.47968; 162.009964 . A south-flowing glacier 0.6 nautical miles (1.1 km; 0.69 mi) long situated east of Sandy Glacier in
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