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Difference between revisions of "Amundsen Sea"
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[[File:AmundsenSea-map.jpg|thumb|Map of the Amundsen Sea]] | [[File:AmundsenSea-map.jpg|thumb|Map of the Amundsen Sea]] | ||
The '''Amundsen Sea''', an arm of the [[Southern Ocean]] off of [[Westarctica]] in western [[Antarctica]], lies between [[Cape Flying Fish]] (the northwestern tip of [[Thurston Island]]) to the east and Cape Dart on [[Siple Island]] to the west. Cape Flying Fish marks the boundary between the Amundsen Sea and the [[Bellingshausen Sea]]. West of Cape Dart there is an unnamed "marginal sea" of the Southern Ocean between the Amundsen and [[Ross Sea]]s. The Norwegian expedition of 1928–1929 under Captain Nils Larsen named the body of water for the Norwegian polar explorer [[Roald Amundsen]] while exploring this area in February 1929. | The '''Amundsen Sea''', an arm of the [[Southern Ocean]] off of [[Westarctica]] in western [[Antarctica]], lies between [[Cape Flying Fish]] (the northwestern tip of [[Thurston Island]]) to the east and [[Cape Dart]] on [[Siple Island]] to the west. Cape Flying Fish marks the boundary between the Amundsen Sea and the [[Bellingshausen Sea]]. West of Cape Dart there is an unnamed "marginal sea" of the Southern Ocean between the Amundsen and [[Ross Sea]]s. The Norwegian expedition of 1928–1929 under Captain Nils Larsen named the body of water for the Norwegian polar explorer [[Roald Amundsen]] while exploring this area in February 1929. | ||
The sea is mostly ice-covered, and the [[Thwaites Ice Tongue]] protrudes into it. The [[ice sheet]] which drains into the Amundsen Sea averages about 3 km (1.9 mi) in thickness; roughly the size of the state of Texas, this area is known as the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE); it forms one of the three major ice-drainage basins of the [[West Antarctic Ice Sheet]]. | The sea is mostly ice-covered, and the [[Thwaites Ice Tongue]] protrudes into it. The [[ice sheet]] which drains into the Amundsen Sea averages about 3 km (1.9 mi) in thickness; roughly the size of the state of Texas, this area is known as the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE); it forms one of the three major ice-drainage basins of the [[West Antarctic Ice Sheet]]. | ||
It is Westarctica's largest sea. | It is Westarctica's largest sea. | ||
==Naming controversy== | |||
Starting in the 1930s, [[U.S. Navy]] personnel and scientists operating throughout [[Antarctica]] began to refer to the Amundsen Sea as the "Franklin D. Roosevelt Sea" in honor of the President of the United States, who had encouraged scientific research and exploration of the continent. | |||
When the Board of Geographical Names attempted to make the name change official, President Roosevelt made the decision to veto the new name before it could be approved because the Norwegians had already named it in honor of their famed explorer. FDR was later quoted as saying he preferred to have "a smoking volcano" named after him instead. | |||
However, his request wasn't granted and to this day, the only Antarctic featured named for the president is [[Roosevelt Island]]. | |||
==Amundsen Sea Embayment== | ==Amundsen Sea Embayment== | ||
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A study in October 2004 suggested that because the ice in the Amundsen Sea had been melting rapidly and riven with cracks, the offshore ice shelf was set to collapse "within five years". The study projected a sea level rise of 1.3 m (4.3 ft) from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet if all the sea ice in the Amundsen Sea melted. | A study in October 2004 suggested that because the ice in the Amundsen Sea had been melting rapidly and riven with cracks, the offshore ice shelf was set to collapse "within five years". The study projected a sea level rise of 1.3 m (4.3 ft) from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet if all the sea ice in the Amundsen Sea melted. | ||
Measurements made by the British Antarctic Survey in 2005 showed that the ice discharge rate into the Amundsen Sea embayment was about 250 km3 per year. Assuming a steady rate of discharge, this alone is sufficient to raise global sea levels by 0.2 mm per year. | Measurements made by the British Antarctic Survey in 2005 showed that the [[ice]] discharge rate into the Amundsen Sea embayment was about 250 km3 per year. Assuming a steady rate of discharge, this alone is sufficient to raise global sea levels by 0.2 mm per year. | ||
A subglacial volcano has also been detected in the area, just north of the Pine Island Glacier near the [[Hudson Mountains]]. It last erupted approximately 2,200 years ago, indicated by widespread ash deposits within the ice, in what was the largest known eruption in Antarctica within the past 10 millennia. | A subglacial volcano has also been detected in the area, just north of the Pine Island Glacier near the [[Hudson Mountains]]. It last erupted approximately 2,200 years ago, indicated by widespread ash deposits within the ice, in what was the largest known eruption in Antarctica within the past 10 millennia. Volcanic activity in the region may be contributing to the observed increase of glacial flow, although currently the most popular theory among the scientists studying this area is that the flow has increased due to warming ocean water. This water has warmed due to an upwelling of deep ocean water which is due to variations in pressure systems, which could have been affected by [[global warming]]. | ||
==Amundsen Sea as part of the Southern Ocean== | ==Amundsen Sea as part of the Southern Ocean== | ||
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==Pine Island Bay== | ==Pine Island Bay== | ||
[[Pine Island Bay]] (74°50′S 102°40′W) is a bay about 40 miles (64 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) wide, into which flows the ice of the Pine Island Glacier at the southeast extremity of the Amundsen Sea. It was delineated from aerial photographs taken by USN Operation Highjump in December 1946, and named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for the USS Pine Island, seaplane tender and flagship of the eastern task group of USN Operation Highjump which explored this area. | [[Pine Island Bay]] (74°50′S 102°40′W) is a bay about 40 miles (64 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) wide, into which flows the ice of the [[Pine Island Glacier]] at the southeast extremity of the Amundsen Sea. It was delineated from aerial photographs taken by USN Operation Highjump in December 1946, and named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for the USS ''Pine Island'', seaplane tender and flagship of the eastern task group of USN Operation Highjump which explored this area. | ||
==Russell Bay== | ==Russell Bay== | ||
Russell Bay (73°27′S 123°54′W) is a rather open bay in southwestern Amundsen Sea, extending along the north sides of [[Siple Island]], [[Getz Ice Shelf]] and [[Carney Island]], from [[Pranke Island]] to [[Cape Gates]]. It was mapped by United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and [[U.S. Navy]] air photos, 1959–66, and named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Admiral James S. Russell, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations during the post 1957–58 IGY period. | |||
[[Category:Seas]] | [[Category:Seas]] | ||
[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Geography of Westarctica]] | ||