Eratosthenes_Point

Eratosthenes Point

Eratosthenes Point

Antarctic headland


Eratosthenes Point (Bulgarian: нос Ератостен, romanized: nos Eratosthenes, IPA: ['nɔs ɛrɐto'stɛn]) is the ice-covered, rock-tipped northwest entrance point to Digges Cove on the north coast of Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica situated just west of the terminus of Snellius Glacier. The area was visited by early 19th century sealers.[1]

Location of Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands
Map of Elephant Island

The feature is named after the Greek mathematician and geographer Eratosthenes (c. 276-194 BC) who was the first to calculate the circumference of the Earth; in association with other names in the area deriving from the early development or use of geodetic instruments and methods.

Location

Eratosthenes Point is located at 61°05′39″S 55°03′24″W,[2] which is 17.2 km east-southeast of Cape Yelcho and 10.57 km west of Point Wild. British mapping of the area in 1822,1972 and 2009.

Maps


Notes

  1. A. Gurney. Below the Convergence: Voyages Toward Antarctica, 1699-1839. New York: Penguin Books, 1998. 315 pp.
  2. Bulgarian Antarctic Gazetteer. Antarctic Place-names Commission

References

This article includes information from the Antarctic Place-names Commission of Bulgaria which is used with permission.



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