Ross Island

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ross-island

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Ross Island?Approximately 43 nautical miles (80 km) north-south and east-west
2. What is the location?East side of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
3. What is the active volcano?Mount Erebus, 3,795 meters (12,451 ft), featuring a persistent lava lake
4. Why is Mount Erebus special?Mount Erebus is one of the southernmost active volcanoes and has a lava lake that never stops.
5. How do scientists get to Ross Island?They use icebreakers that open McMurdo Sound in summer, and the island has airstrips and a harbor at Hut Point.

Stratovolcano: A tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, ash, and volcanic rock.
Lava Lake: A pool of molten lava contained within a volcanic crater or vent.
Antarctic Treaty System: A comprehensive international legal framework governing activities on the Antarctic continent, prioritizing peace and science.
Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration: The period of Antarctic exploration roughly from 1897 to 1922, characterized by daring expeditions and significant geographical discoveries.