Neptune Nunataks

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Map showing location of the Neptune Nunataks south of the Fosdick Mountains in Antarctica.

The Neptune Nunataks (76°37′S 145°18′W) are a small group of nunataks between the Chester Mountains and Fosdick Mountains, in the Ford Ranges of Westarctica.

Geology

This feature has been visited several times by geologic survey parties as an outlying member of the Fosdick Metamorphic Zone. The nunataks were originally though to be granite, but were later determined to be metamorphic rocks, primarily gneiss, although samples of granodiorite and tonalite, two igneous rocks very similar to granite, were also retrieved from the site.

Discovery and name

The nunataks were discovered by the United States Antarctic Service during the years 1939–41 and mapped by the United States Geological Survey utilizing surveys and U.S. Navy air photos collected throughout the years 1959–65. The Neptune Nunataks were named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in honor of Gary R. Neptune, who served as a geologist with the Marie Byrd Land Survey II during the 1967-68 research season.

Peerage title

On 26 July 2023, Grand Duke Travis granted the peerage title Count of Neptune to Peter Schulze in recognition of his support of Westarctica. The title was named in connection to the Neptune Nunataks. His Lordship had previously held the title Baron of Steuri since 2019.