Sars Bank (named for M. Sars and G. O. Sars[1]) is located in the Drake Passage in between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica. The bank's coordinates are 59°35′22.18″S 69°0′42.87″W / 59.5894944°S 69.0119083°W / -59.5894944; -69.0119083, about 350 km south of Diego Ramírez Islands and 500 km from the South Shetland Islands. The top of the bank lies a few hundred meters under sea level.[2]

The bank has been proposed by Chilean historian Mateo Martinic as the location of the phantom Elizabeth Island, seen by Francis Drake's expedition in 1578.[2] If the Sars Bank was ever above sea level it may have had significant biogeographical importance as a "bridge" between South America and Antarctica.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Marine Regions: Sars Guyot
  2. ^ a b c Martinic B., Mateo (2019). "Entre el mito y la realidad. La situación de la misteriosa Isla Elizabeth de Francis Drake" [Between myth and reality. The situation of the mysterious Elizabeth Island of Francis Drake]. Magallania (in Spanish). 47 (1): 5–14. doi:10.4067/S0718-22442019000100005. Retrieved December 21, 2019.