Merz Peninsula () is an irregular, ice-covered peninsula, about long in an east–west direction and averaging wide, between
Hilton Inlet and
Violante Inlet
Violante Inlet () is an ice-filled inlet long, in an east–west direction, and wide, lying between Cape Fanning and Cape Herdman along the east coast of Palmer Land. Discovered and photographed from the air in December 1940 by members of the Un ...
on the east coast of
Palmer Land
Palmer Land () is the portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica that lies south of a line joining Cape Jeremy and Cape Agassiz. This application of Palmer Land is consistent with the 1964 agreement between the Advisory Committee on Antarctic ...
, Antarctica. It was discovered and photographed from the air in December 1940 by the
US Antarctic Service
The United States Antarctic Program (or USAP; formerly known as the United States Antarctic Research Program or USARP and the United States Antarctic Service or USAS) is an organization of the United States government which has presence in the A ...
; during 1947 it was photographed from the air by the
Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition
The Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (RARE) was an expedition from 1947–1948 which researched the area surrounding the head of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica.
Background
Finn Ronne led the RARE which was the final privately sponsored ex ...
under
Finn Ronne
Finn Ronne (December 20, 1899 – January 12, 1980) was a Norwegian-born U.S. citizen and Antarctic explorer.
Background
Finn Ronne was born in Horten, in Vestfold county, Norway. His father, Martin Rønne (1861–1932), was a polar explorer ...
, who in conjunction with the
Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the United Kingdom's national polar research institute. It has a dual purpose, to conduct polar science, enabling better understanding of global issues, and to provide an active presence in the Antarctic on ...
(FIDS) charted it from the ground. The peninsula was named by the FIDS for
Alfred Merz, a noted Austrian
oceanographer
Oceanography (), also known as oceanology and ocean science, is the scientific study of the oceans. It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of topics, including ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics ...
and the original leader of the
German expedition in the ''
Meteor
A meteoroid () is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space.
Meteoroids are defined as objects significantly smaller than asteroids, ranging in size from grains to objects up to a meter wide. Objects smaller than this are classified as mic ...
'', 1925–26.
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References
Peninsulas of Palmer Land
{{PalmerLand-geo-stub