Vinson Massif

Vinson Massif
NASA image of Vinson Massif from space
Highest point
Elevation4,892 m (16,050 ft)[1]
Prominence4,892 m (16,050 ft)[2]
Ranked 8th
Isolation4,911 km (3,052 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
ListingSeven summits
Ultra
Coordinates78°31′31.74″S 85°37′1.73″W / 78.5254833°S 85.6171472°W / -78.5254833; -85.6171472[3]
Geography
LocationAntarctica
Parent rangeSentinel Range
Climbing
First ascent1966 by Nicholas Clinch and party
Easiest routesnow/ice climb
Map of most of the Sentinel Range, Ellsworth Mountains with Vinson Massif.

Vinson Massif is the highest mountain of Antarctica. It is in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains. The massif is about 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) from the South Pole. It is about 21 km (13 mi) long and 13 km (8.1 mi) wide.[4] At 4,892 metres (16,050 ft) the highest point is Mount Vinson. It was named in 2006 after Carl Vinson, long-time member of the U.S. Congress from the state of Georgia.[5]

Vinson Massif was first seen in 1958 and first climbed in 1966.

Though the yearly snowfall on Vinson is low, high winds can cause base camp accumulations up to 46 centimetres (18 in) in a year. During the summer season, November through January, there are 24 hours of sunlight. The average temperature during these months is −30 °C (−20 °F).

References

Media related to Vinson Massif at Wikimedia Commons

  1. ↑ "Vinson Massif" Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  2. ↑ "Antarctica - Ultra Prominences" peaklist.org. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  3. ↑ "GPS waypoints for the Vinson Massif". 7 Summits. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
  4. ↑ "Vinson Massif". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  5. ↑ "Mount Vinson". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-09-20.