|
Wilkes Land is a region in southeastern Antarctica fronting on the southern Indian Ocean between Queen Mary Coast and George V Coast, extending from Cape Hordern in 100°31'E to Point Alden in 142°02'E.
Named for Rear Admiral (then-lieutenant) Charles Wilkes, American explorer who was in command of the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838–42. The name has been applied over this extent in recognition of the fact that Wilkes recognized the phenomena of the continental margin over a distance of 1,500 miles of coast and thus first provided substantial proof that Antarctica is a continent. This definition of extent excludes the area east of 142°02'E which was sighted by Wilkes but has been shown by later expeditions to be farther south than the positions originally assigned by him.
|
