Dome A
| Dome A | |
|---|---|
| Dome Argus | |
 Dome A
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,093 m (13,428 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,639 m (5,377 ft) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Coordinates | 80°22′S 77°21′E / 80.367°S 77.350°ECoordinates: 80°22′S 77°21′E / 80.367°S 77.350°E |
| Geography | |
| Location | Antarctica |
Dome A or Dome Argus is the loftiest ice dome on the Antarctic Plateau, located 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) inland. It is thought to be the coldest naturally occurring place on Earth; scientists believe that temperatures can sometimes even drop below −102 °C (−152 °F) in the winter. It is the highest ice feature in Antarctica, consisting of an ice dome or eminence of 4,093 metres (13,428 ft) elevation above sea level. It is located near the center of East Antarctica, approximately midway between the enormous head of Lambert Glacier and the geographic South Pole, within the Australian claim.
Dome Argus is located on the massive East Antarctic Ice Sheet, and is the highest ice feature of Antarctica. Dome A is a lofty ice prominence, the highest rooftop of the Antarctic Plateau, and the elevation visually is not noticeable. Below this enormous dome, underneath at least 2,400 m (7,900 ft) of ice sheet, lies the Gamburtsev Mountain Range, about the size of the European Alps.
The name "Dome Argus" was given by the Scott Polar Research Institute from Greek mythology. Argus built the ship Argo in which Jason and the Argonauts traveled to Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece.
This site is one of the driest locations on Earth and receives 1 to 3 cm (0.39 to 1.18 in) of snow per year. Due to this, as well as calm weather, this site is an excellent location to obtain ice core samples for the research of past climates. Temperatures at Dome A fall below −80 °C (−112 °F) almost every winter.
Details of the morphology of this feature were determined by the SPRI-NSF-TUD airborne radio echo sounding program between the years 1967 and 1979.
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Wikipedia