Robert Island or Mitchells Island or Polotsk Island or Roberts Island is an island 11 miles (18 km) long and 8 miles (13 km) wide, situated between Nelson Island and Greenwich Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Robert Island is located at 62°24′S 59°30′W / 62.400°S 59.500°W / -62.400; -59.500. Its surface area is 132 km2 (51 sq mi).[2] The name "Robert Island" dates back to around 1821 and is now established in international usage.

Robert Island
Location of Robert Island in the South Shetland Islands
Robert Island is located in South Shetland Islands
Robert Island
Robert Island
Location in the South Shetland Islands
Robert Island is located in Antarctica
Robert Island
Robert Island
Location in Antarctica
Geography
LocationAntarctica
Coordinates62°24′S 59°30′W / 62.400°S 59.500°W / -62.400; -59.500
ArchipelagoSouth Shetland Islands
Area132 km2 (51 sq mi)
Length11 mi (18 km)
Width8 mi (13 km)
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System
Demographics
Population0
Punta Prat Lighthouse Edit this at Wikidata
Foundationconcrete base
Constructionfiber glass tower
Height7 m (23 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Shapecylindrical tower
Markingsyellow tower with orange horizontal bands[1]
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height25 m (82 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range7 nmi (13 km; 8.1 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicFl W 10s Edit this on Wikidata

Much of the Coppermine Peninsula in the west of the island is made up by a perched strandflat surface that was at sea level in the past.[3]

Captain Richard Fildes may have named Robert Island for his brig Robert.[4] Fildes was sealing in the South Shetlands in 1821–1822 until ice destroyed his vessel in March 1822. Fildes Strait is named for him.

Topographic map of Livingston Island, Greenwich, Robert, Snow and Smith Islands

See also

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Maps

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  • Chart of South Shetland including Coronation Island, &c. from the exploration of the sloop Dove in the years 1821 and 1822 by George Powell Commander of the same. Scale ca. 1:200000. London: Laurie, 1822.
  • South Shetland Islands. Scale 1:200000 topographic map. DOS 610 Sheet W 62 58. Tolworth, UK, 1968.
  • L.L. Ivanov et al. Antarctica: Livingston Island and Greenwich Island, South Shetland Islands. Scale 1:100000 topographic map. Sofia: Antarctic Place-names Commission of Bulgaria, 2005.
  • L.L. Ivanov. Antarctica: Livingston Island and Greenwich, Robert, Snow and Smith Islands. Scale 1:120000 topographic map. Troyan: Manfred Wörner Foundation, 2009. ISBN 978-954-92032-6-4
  • Antarctic Digital Database (ADD). Scale 1:250000 topographic map of Antarctica. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), 1993–2016.

References

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