Royal Society Range

Royal Society Range is a major mountain range within the Transantarctic Mountains, situated in Victoria Land, Antarctica. It extends southward from the McMurdo Sound region and is bounded by the Skelton Glacier and the Mulock Glacier. The range is renowned for its dramatic peaks, expansive icefields, and its significant role in the history of Antarctic exploration and scientific research, particularly in the fields of geology and glaciology.

Geography and location

The range forms a prominent segment of the western shoreline of the Ross Sea, rising steeply from the Ross Ice Shelf. It is flanked to the north by the Kukri Hills and to the south by the Borchgrevink Coast. Key surrounding features include the Ferrar Glacier, which flows along its western margin, and the Blue Glacier, which descends from its central highlands towards the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The range overlooks Ross Island and the scientific stations of McMurdo Station and Scott Base across the sound. Its eastern escarpment provides a formidable barrier between the polar plateau and the Ross Dependency.

Geology and glaciology

The range is composed primarily of Beacon Supergroup sedimentary rocks, intruded by thick sills of Ferrar Dolerite from the Jurassic period. These geological formations are part of the broader West Antarctic Rift System and provide a continuous record of Gondwana's history. Extensive ice caps and outlet glaciers, such as the Alley Glacier and the Howe Glacier, drain the range. Studies of these ice bodies contribute to understanding global climate change and past ice sheet dynamics. The adjacent McMurdo Dry Valleys, a polar desert created by katabatic winds, offer a stark contrast and are a key analog for Mars research.

History and exploration

The range was first sighted during Captain James Clark Ross's expedition of 1839–1843. It was later charted and named in honor of the Royal Society by the British National Antarctic Expedition (1901–1904) led by Robert Falcon Scott. Subsequent expeditions, including those led by Ernest Shackleton and the Terra Nova Expedition, further explored its glaciers and passes. The New Zealand contingent of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition also conducted significant reconnaissance. The establishment of permanent research stations in the McMurdo Sound area solidified the range's role as a backdrop for polar exploration throughout the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration and into the modern era.

Notable peaks and features

The highest summit is Mount Lister, named for the president of the Royal Society. Other significant peaks include Mount Hooker, Mount Huggins, and the distinctive The Pimple. The range features notable landmarks such as the Wright Upper Glacier and the Wright Lower Glacier, which feed into the Taylor Valley. Passes like the Descent Pass provide crucial routes from the plateau. Features such as Mount Dromedary and Mount Kempe are named for figures associated with the Royal Society or the early expeditions of Discovery and Terra Nova.

Scientific research and significance

The range is a vital site for investigations into Antarctic geology, paleontology, and microbiology. Research conducted here has provided evidence for the Permian-Triassic extinction event found in Beacon Supergroup fossils. Long-term studies of its glaciers contribute data to models of sea-level rise. The area is also used for testing equipment and protocols for future missions to Mars and Europa. Ongoing projects involve institutions like the British Antarctic Survey, the United States Antarctic Program, and Antarctica New Zealand, maintaining the legacy of the Royal Society's support for scientific discovery.