Cape Adare

Cape Adare is the northeastern most peninsula in Victoria Land, East Antarctica. The cape separates the Ross Sea to the east from the Southern Ocean to the west, and is backed by the high Admiralty Mountains. Cape Adare was an important landing site and base camp during early Antarctic exploration.

In February 2007 the Japanese whaling ship "Nisshin Maru" experienced a fire below decks while in the Ross Sea. The vessel drifted without power for days until its engines were repaired, raising concern due to its proximity to Cape Adare.

History

Captain James Ross discovered Cape Adare in January 1841 and named it after his friend the Viscount Adare (the title is derived from Adare, Ireland).

In January of 1895, Norwegian explorers Henryk Bull and Carstens Borchgrevink landed at Cape Adare, collecting geological specimens. Borchgrevink returned to the cape leading his own expedition in 1899 and erected two huts, the first human structures built in Antarctica. The expedition members overwintered and the survivors were picked up in January of 1900. Zoologist Nicolai Hanson died during the winter and was buried at Cape Adare.

Members of the Northern Party of Scott's Terra Nova Expedition over-wintered at Cape Adare in 1911 and 1912. They erected one hut, which has fallen into ruin today.

The closest research station in modern times was Hallett Station, the joint New Zealand/United States station at Cape Hallett, 63 miles (101 km) to the south. This base was in use from 1957 to 1973.

Ecology

Cape Adare is the site of a large Adelie penguin rookery.

References

* [http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=121591 Geographic data] from the SCAR Gazetteer
* [http://www.antarctic-circle.org/historicsites.htm Historic Sites of the Antarctic]