# Adelaide Island

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Island in Antarctica

For the island in Russia, see [Adelaide Island (Russia)](/source/Adelaide_Island_(Russia)).

Adelaide Island Adelaide Base, February 1962 Adelaide Island shown within the Antarctic Peninsula Geography Location northeast Bellingshausen Sea, Southern Ocean Coordinates 67°15′S 68°30′W / 67.25°S 68.5°W / -67.25; -68.5 Area 4,663 km2 (1,800 sq mi) Length 139 km (86.4 mi) Width 37 km (23 mi) Highest elevation 2,315 m (7595 ft) Highest point Mount Gaudry Administration British Antarctic Territory Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System Demographics Population around 100

**Adelaide Island** is a large, mainly ice-covered [island](/source/Island), 139 kilometres (75 nmi) long and 37 kilometres (20 nmi) wide, lying at the north side of [Marguerite Bay](/source/Marguerite_Bay) off the west coast of the [Antarctic Peninsula](/source/Antarctic_Peninsula). The [Ginger Islands](/source/Ginger_Islands) lie off the southern end. [Mount Bodys](/source/Mount_Bodys) is the easternmost mountain on Adelaide Island, rising to over 1,220 m. The island lies within the [Argentine](/source/Argentine_Antarctica), [British](/source/British_Antarctic_Territory) and [Chilean Antarctic claims](/source/Chilean_Antarctica).

## History

Adelaide Island was discovered in 1832 by a [British](/source/United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland) expedition under [John Biscoe](/source/John_Biscoe).[1][2] The island was first surveyed by the [French Antarctic Expedition](/source/French_Antarctic_Expedition) (1908–1910) under [Jean-Baptiste Charcot](/source/Jean-Baptiste_Charcot).

According to a contemporary source, the island was named by Biscoe himself in honour of [Queen Adelaide of the United Kingdom](/source/Queen_Adelaide_of_the_United_Kingdom),[3] who earlier gave her name to the city in [Australia](/source/Australia).

The Island has two bases on it. The old Adelaide Island base (also known as Base T) was set up by the [Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey](/source/Falkland_Islands_Dependencies_Survey) (FIDS), which later became the [British Antarctic Survey](/source/British_Antarctic_Survey). The Base was closed due to an unstable skiway and operations were moved to the new [Rothera Research Station](/source/Rothera_Research_Station) during 1976-77; this base remains open. The old BAS base was transferred to the [Chilean](/source/Chile) authorities in 1984, when it was renamed [Teniente Luis Carvajal Villaroel Antarctic Base](/source/Teniente_Luis_Carvajal_Villaroel_Antarctic_Base). The station was then used as a summer only station by the Chileans. However, the skiway and 'ramp' to the station from the plateau have all become so unstable that the [Chilean Air Force](/source/Chilean_Air_Force) (FACh) have ceased operating there. The [Chilean Navy](/source/Chilean_Navy) has visited the station almost every summer to ensure it is in good keeping. BAS employees also visit the station during the winter when access from the plateau is easier.

Due to the length of time that it has been inhabited, the island is well mapped by Antarctic standards.

## Geology

During the [Mesozoic](/source/Mesozoic), the Antarctic Peninsula was the site of an active [volcanic arc](/source/Volcanic_arc), with deposition of a [fore-arc basin](/source/Fore-arc_basin) sequence. Included in that sequence is a 2–3 km succession of [turbiditic](/source/Turbidite) coarse [sandstones](/source/Sandstone) and volcanic rocks, exposed on the eastern portion of Adelaide Island, which correlates with the [Upper Jurassic](/source/Upper_Jurassic)-[Lower Cretaceous](/source/Lower_Cretaceous) Fossil Bluff Group on [Alexander Island](/source/Alexander_Island). The western portion of Adelaide Island is covered by the Fuchs [Ice Piedmont](/source/Ice_piedmont). The oldest formation on Adelaide Island is the Late Jurassic Buchia Buttress [Formation](/source/Formation_(geology)) (149.5 [Ma](/source/Megaannum)) of volcanic [breccias](/source/Breccia), [tuffs](/source/Tuff), and [volcaniclastic](/source/Volcaniclastic) rocks interbedded with coarse-grained [sandstones](/source/Sandstone) and [pebble](/source/Pebble) [conglomerates](/source/Conglomerate_(geology)). The Early Cretaceous Milestone Bluff Formation (113.9 Ma) is a sandstone-conglomerate indicating a shallowing trend. Volcanic formations on Adelaide Island include the Bond [Nunatak](/source/Nunatak) Formation (75 Ma), which consists of [basaltic](/source/Basaltic) [andesite](/source/Andesite) [lavas](/source/Lava) interbedded with coarse-grained volcaniclastics, and overlays the Buchia Buttress Formation. The Mount Leotard Formation (75-65 Ma), has up to 1800 m of basaltic andesite lavas, [hyaloclastites](/source/Hyaloclastite) and breccias. The Reptile Ridge Formation (67.6 Ma) is a [rhyolitic](/source/Rhyolitic) [ignimbrite](/source/Ignimbrite) up to 400 m thick. Finally, the Adelaide Island [Intrusive](/source/Intrusive_rock) Suite (45-52 Ma) are [granodiorite](/source/Granodiorite)-[gabbro](/source/Gabbro) hybrid [plutons](/source/Pluton) with minor [dolerite](/source/Dolerite) [dykes](/source/Dike_(geology)).[4]

## Geography

[Rothera](/source/Rothera) Station in November 2003, looking towards the [Antarctic Peninsula](/source/Antarctic_Peninsula)

A number of features on and around Adelaide Island have been charted by various Antarctic expeditions, primarily the French Antarctic Expedition of 1909, under Charcot.

Cape Mascart forms the northernmost extremity of Adelaide Island, Antarctica, and is by the [IHO](/source/International_Hydrographic_Organization) regarded as the northernmost and easternmost border point of [Bellingshausen Sea](/source/Bellingshausen_Sea). It was discovered by Charcot's expedition, and named by him for French physicist [Éleuthère Mascart](/source/%C3%89leuth%C3%A8re_Mascart).[5]

On the island's east coast, Landauer Point, marks the west side of the north entrance to [Tickle Channel](/source/Tickle_Channel). It was mapped by the FIDS from air photos taken by the [Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition](/source/Ronne_Antarctic_Research_Expedition) (RARE), 1947–48, and the [Falkland Islands and Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition](/source/Falkland_Islands_and_Dependencies_Aerial_Survey_Expedition) (FIDASE), 1956–57. The point was named by the [UK Antarctic Place-Names Committee](/source/UK_Antarctic_Place-Names_Committee) (UK-APC) for [Joseph K. Landauer](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_K._Landauer&action=edit&redlink=1), an American physicist.[6]

To the south is Mothes Point, 7 nautical miles (13 km) southwest of [The Gullet](/source/The_Gullet). It was mapped by FIDS from RARE photos, and FIDASE in 1956–57. It was named by UK-APC for German glaciologist [Hans Mothes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hans_Mothes&action=edit&redlink=1).[7]

Mackay Point in February 2011.

Continuing south, is Mackay Point about 2 nautical miles (4 km) to the north-northeast of [Rothera Point](/source/Rothera_Point). It was surveyed by FIDS, 1961–62, and by a [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) Hydrographic Survey Unit from [HMS *Endurance*](/source/HMS_Endurance_(1967)), 1976–77. The point was named by UK-APC in 1978 for BAS builder [Donald C. Mackay](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donald_C._Mackay&action=edit&redlink=1).[8] The Mackay Point is a tiny peninsula (450 m at its widest point) protruding into [Laubeuf Fjord](/source/Laubeuf_Fjord) from the [Wormald Ice Piedmont](/source/Wormald_Ice_Piedmont) on the eastern side of Adelaide Island.

About 2 nmi (3.7 km) south is Rothera Point, marking the east side of the Ryder Bay. Rothera Point was named by UK-APC for FIDS surveyor John M. Rothera.[9][10] The point is protected as [Antarctic Specially Protected Area](/source/Antarctic_Specially_Protected_Area) (ASPA) No.129 so that it would serve as a biological research site and [control area](/source/Scientific_control) against which the [environmental impact](/source/Environmental_impact) of the adjacent [Rothera Research Station](/source/Rothera_Research_Station) could be monitored in an Antarctic [fellfield](/source/Fellfield) [ecosystem](/source/Ecosystem).[11]

On the southeast coast of the island, 5 nmi (9.3 km) east of [Mount Gaudry](/source/Mount_Gaudry), 6 nmi (11 km) wide Ryder Bay indents the coast to a depth of 4 nmi (7.4 km). The [Leonie Islands](/source/Leonie_Islands) lie across the mouth of this bay. The bay was resurveyed in 1936 by the [British Graham Land Expedition](/source/British_Graham_Land_Expedition) (BGLE) under Rymill, and in 1948 by FIDS. The bay is named for [Lisle C.D. Ryder](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lisle_C.D._Ryder&action=edit&redlink=1), second mate on the *[Penola](/source/Penola_(yacht))* during the BGLE, 1934–37. [Ives Bank](/source/Ives_Bank) is a [submarine bank](/source/Submarine_bank) in the [Bellingshausen Sea](/source/Bellingshausen_Sea) on the southern approaches to Ryder Bay.[12]

The southeast extremity of the island is Cape Alexandra, named by Charcot for [Alexandra of Denmark](/source/Alexandra_of_Denmark), then [Queen consort of the United Kingdom](/source/Queen_consort_of_the_United_Kingdom).[13]

The southwest extremity of the island is Cape Adriasola, a distinctive ice-cliffed cape. Charcot named it for an acquaintance in [Punta Arenas](/source/Punta_Arenas). 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) southwest lies [Avian Island](/source/Avian_Island).[14] Several rocks lie off Adriasola: 13 nautical miles (24 km) southwest is Cavalier Rock, named by UK-APC for [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) helicopter pilot [Geoffrey A. Cavalier](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geoffrey_A._Cavalier&action=edit&redlink=1).[15] Sorpresa Rock lies exposed to the southwest. Its name appears on a Chilean government chart of 1947, from "[sorpresa](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sorpresa)", a Spanish word meaning "surprise".[16]

## See also

- [List of Antarctic and subantarctic islands](/source/List_of_Antarctic_and_subantarctic_islands)

- [Adelaide (disambiguation)](/source/Adelaide_(disambiguation))

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Stanton_1-0)** Stanton, William (1975). [*The Great United States Exploring Expedition*](https://archive.org/details/greatunitedstate00will/page/147). Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. [147](https://archive.org/details/greatunitedstate00will/page/147). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0520025571](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0520025571).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Jones, A.G.E. (1971). ["John Biscoe's voyage around the world, 1830-1833"](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00253359.1971.10658579). *The Mariner's Mirror*. **57** (1): 51. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/00253359.1971.10658579](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00253359.1971.10658579). Retrieved 19 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Extract from the 'Tasmanian' of Hobart (11 October 1833). ["Interesting to the World at Large"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page4245722?zoomLevel=1). The Sydney Monitor, 2 November 1833. Retrieved 26 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Riley, T.R.; Flowerdew, M.J.; Haselwimmer, C.E. (2011). *Geological Map of Adelaide Island, Graham Land (1:200 00 scale), BAS GEOMAP 2 Series, sheet 2*. Cambridge: British Antarctic Survey.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gnis-CMAS_5-0)** ["Cape Mascart"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:9515). *Geographic Names Information System*. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 11 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gnis-LP_6-0)** ["Landauer Point"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:8436). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior). Retrieved 28 May 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gnis-MP_7-0)** ["Mothes Point"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:10321). *Geographic Names Information System*. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 11 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gnis-MP2_8-0)** ["Mackay Point"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:9223). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior). Retrieved 16 July 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["John Rothera, interviewed by Chris Eldon Lee on the 31st of January 2013"](http://basclub.org/wp-content/uploads/baohp-transcripts/ad6_24_1_210_4.pdf) (PDF). *basclub.org*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** "Geographic Names of the Antarctic"; compiled and edited by Fred G. Alberts; Washington, DC; National Science Foundation, 1981; p. 726.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ats_11-0)** ["Rothera Point, Adelaide Island"](http://www.ats.aq/documents/recatt/Att356_e.pdf) (PDF). *Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 129: Measure 1, Annex B*. Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gnis-RB_12-0)** ["Ryder Bay"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:13097). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior). Retrieved 11 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gnis-CALE_13-0)** ["Cape Alexandra"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:246). *Geographic Names Information System*. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 11 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gnis-CADR_14-0)** ["Cape Adriasola"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:101). *Geographic Names Information System*. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 11 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Cavalier Rock"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:2542). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior). Retrieved 30 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Sopresa Rock"](https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:14230). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior).

## External links

- [Images at BAS](https://web.archive.org/web/20070824013454/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/images/in_pictures/rothera.php)

This article incorporates [public domain material](https://www.usgs.gov/information-policies-and-instructions/copyrights-and-credits) from websites or documents of the [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey).

v t e Antarctic Specially Protected Areas Queen Elizabeth Land Davis Valley Forlidas Pond Queen Maud Land Dakshin Gangotri Glacier Svarthamaren Mountain Yukidori Valley Mac. Robertson Land Murray Monolith Rookery Islands Scullin Monolith Taylor Rookery Princess Elizabeth Land Amanda Bay Hawker Island Mount Harding Mule Peninsula Queen Mary Land Haswell Island Wilkes Land Ardery Island Bailey Peninsula Charlton Island Clark Peninsula Dewart Island Frazier Islands Nelly Island Odbert Island Adélie Land Bernard Island Bon Docteur Nunatak Carrel Island Géologie Archipelago Lamarck Island Port Martin Rostand Island George V Land Mawson's Huts Victoria Land Balham Valley Barwick Valley Canada Glacier Cape Adare Cape Geology Cape Hallett Cape Washington Edmonson Point Linnaeus Terrace Mount Melbourne Mount Rittmann Seabee Hook Ross Sea Arrival Heights Backdoor Bay Beaufort Island Cape Crozier Cape Evans Cape Royds Hut Point Peninsula Lewis Bay New College Valley North-west White Island Sabrina Island Tramway Ridge Palmer Land Ablation Lake Ablation Point Ablation Point – Ganymede Heights Ablation Valley Erratic Valley Flatiron Valley Ganymede Heights Himalia Ridge Marion Nunataks Mount Martine Mount Monique Moutonnée Lake Striation Valley Graham Land Apéndice Island Avian Island Biscoe Point Bransfield Strait Cierva Point Dion Islands Eastern Dallmann Bay Emperor Island Green Island Lagotellerie Island Litchfield Island Midas Island Moss Islands Mount Flora Rothera Point South Bay South Shetlands Admiralty Bay Ardley Island Byers Peninsula Cape Shirreff Collins Point Coppermine Peninsula Crater Lake Deception Island Discovery Bay Fildes Peninsula Harmony Point Kroner Lake Lions Rump Mount Pond Narębski Point Pendulum Cove Port Foster Potter Peninsula Ronald Hill San Telmo Island South East Point Stonethrow Ridge Suffield Point Telefon Bay South Orkneys Christoffersen Island Coronation Island Fredriksen Island Grey Island Lynch Island Michelsen Island Moe Island Southern Powell Island

v t e Adelaide Island Stations and bases Rothera Research Station Teniente Luis Carvajal Villaroel Antarctic Base Hills, peaks, and nunatuks Mount Barre Mount Bodys Mount Bouvier Bond Nunatak Dewar Nunatak Mount Ditte Mount Gaudry Hunt Peak Lincoln Nunatak Mount Liotard Mount Machatschek Mount Mangin Mount Reeves Sighing Peak Stokes Peaks Mount Velain Visser Hill Glaciers Horton Glacier Hurley Glacier Shambles Glacier Sheldon Glacier Sloman Glacier Turner Glacier Other inland features Back Cirque Blümcke Knoll Buchia Buttress Fletcher Bluff McCallum Pass Milestone Bluff Reptile Ridge Stork Ridge Window Buttress Wright Peninsula Coastal features Adelaide Anchorage Fuchs Ice Piedmont Hanusse Bay Laubeuf Fjord Marguerite Bay Ryder Bay Stonehouse Bay Wormald Ice Piedmont Off-shore Islands Amiot Islands Anchorage Island Avian Island Brockhamp Islands Chatos Islands Cono Island Dion Islands Embassy Islands Esplin Islands Ginger Islands Guébriant Islands Henkes Islands Jenny Island Killingbeck Island Kirsty Island Koechlin Island Lagoon Island Léonie Island Léonie Islands Limpet Island Mikkelsen Islands Rigsby Islands Rocca Islands Sillard Islands Solitario Island Sorge Island Steinemann Island Ward Islands Webb Island Reefs and banks Box Reef Consul Reef Cox Reef Cumbers Reef Ives Bank Jennings Reef Lord Bank Regent Reef Rocks Cavalier Rock Cenobite Rocks Envoy Rock Fitton Rock Fullastern Rock Glover Rocks Hibbert Rock Launch Rock League Rock Mission Rock Nueva Rock Outlaw Rock Patience Rocks Skeen Rocks Sorpresa Rock Straits Barlas Channel Buchanan Passage Cole Channel Crosse Passage Elliott Passage The Gullet Johnston Passage Matha Strait Quest Channel Tickle Channel Woodfield Channel

v t e Antarctica Geography South Pole Antarctic sea ice Climate climate change heat waves Weather Danger Classification Geology Glaciers Ice shelves Ice streams Mountains Places Tundra Volcanoes Regions Biogeographic realm Antarctic Peninsula East Antarctica ice sheet shield Extreme points Floristic kingdom Islands Ridge A South Pole (geographic) magnetic West Antarctica ice sheet Bodies of water Lake CECs Lake Mercer Lake Vostok Lakes subglacial McMurdo Sound Rivers Ross Sea Southern Ocean Weddell Sea Life Dinosaurs Flora Microorganisms Wildlife birds mammals krill History Expeditions Heroic Age World War II Colonization COVID-19 pandemic Historic Sites and Monuments Years Politics Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs Military activity National programs Territorial claims Treaty System Elections Society Antarctic English Antarctica Day Crime Demographics Disasters Economy Field camps Firefighting Flags list Food Gateway cities Midwinter Day Organizations Protected areas Religion churches Research stations Telecommunications Time Tourism Transport airports Women Famous explorers Roald Amundsen Richard E. Byrd Douglas Mawson James Clark Ross Robert Falcon Scott Ernest Shackleton Ui-te-Rangiora (legendary) Category Commons Bibliography • Index

v t e West Antarctica Areas Antarctic Peninsula Graham Land Palmer Land Ellsworth Land English Coast Bryan Coast Eights Coast King Edward VII Land Shirase Coast Marie Byrd Land Walgreen Coast Bakutis Coast Hobbs Coast Ruppert Coast Saunders Coast Queen Elizabeth Land Major ice shelves Abbot Ice Shelf Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf Getz Ice Shelf Larsen Ice Shelf Ross Ice Shelf Sulzberger Ice Shelf Seas and major islands Amundsen Sea Dean Island Grant Island Siple Island Bellingshausen Sea Adelaide Island Alexander Island Latady Island Rothschild Island Sherman Island Smyley Island Spaatz Island Thurston Island Ross Sea Ross Island Scotia Sea Southern Ocean Anvers Island Brabant Island Charcot Island Coronation Island D'Urville Island Elephant Island Joinville Island King George Island Livingston Island Renaud Island Weddell Sea James Ross Island Hearst Island

Authority control databases International VIAF GND National United States Israel Other NARA

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Islands)
- [Geography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Geography)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Adelaide Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Island) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Island?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.