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Mount Takahe

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Mount Takahe

Mount Takahe is a 3,460-metre-high (11,350 ft) snow-covered shield volcano in Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica, 200 kilometres (120 mi) from the Amundsen Sea. It is a c. 30-kilometre-wide (19 mi) mountain with parasitic vents and a caldera up to 8 kilometres (5 mi) wide. Most of the volcano is formed by trachytic lava flows, but hyaloclastite is also found. Snow, ice, and glaciers cover most of Mount Takahe. With a volume of 780 km3 (200 mi3), it is a massive volcano; the parts of the edifice that are buried underneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet are probably even larger. It is part of the West Antarctic Rift System along with 18 other known volcanoes. The volcano was active in the Quaternary period. Radiometric dating has yielded ages of up to 300,000 years for its rocks, and it reached its present height about 200,000 years ago. Several tephra layers encountered in ice cores at Mount Waesche and Byrd Station have been attributed to Mount Takahe, although some of them were later linked to eruptions of Mount Berlin instead. The tephra layers were formed by explosive or phreatomagmatic eruptions. Major eruptions took place around 17,700 years ago—possibly forming an ozone hole over Antarctica—and in the early Holocene. Mount Takahe's last eruption occurred about 7,600 years ago, and there is no present-day activity.

Infobox

Elevation
3,460 m (11,350 ft)
Listing
Volcanoes in Antarctica
Coordinates
mw- 76°17′S 112°05′W / 76.28°S 112.08°W / -76.28; -112.08 (Mount Takahe)
Continent
Antarctica
Region
Marie Byrd Land,
Mountain type
Shield volcano
Volcanic field
Marie Byrd Land Volcanic Province
Last eruption
5550 BC (?)

Tables

· Named features
Clausen Glacier
Clausen Glacier
Feature
Clausen Glacier
Coordinates
76°10′S 112°03′W / 76.167°S 112.050°W / -76.167; -112.050 (Clausen Glacier)
Description
A narrow glacier draining northward from the summit of Mount Takahe. The terminus of the glacier is just west of Knezevich Rock. It was mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Henrik B. Clausen (University of Bern, Switzerland), United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1969–70.
Knezevich Rock
Knezevich Rock
Feature
Knezevich Rock
Coordinates
76°10′S 112°00′W / 76.167°S 112.000°W / -76.167; -112.000 (Knezevich Rock).
Description
A rock outcrop on the lower part of the north slope of Mount Takahe. It lies at the east side of the mouth of Clausen Glacier. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy aerial photography, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Nick Knezevich Jr., United States Navy, electronics technician at South Pole Station, 1974.
Stauffer Bluff
Stauffer Bluff
Feature
Stauffer Bluff
Coordinates
76°10′S 111°46′W / 76.167°S 111.767°W / -76.167; -111.767 (Stauffer Bluff).
Description
A rocky bluff at the northeast extremity of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Bernhard Stauffer (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1968–69 and 1969–70.
Oeschger Bluff
Oeschger Bluff
Feature
Oeschger Bluff
Coordinates
76°24′S 111°48′W / 76.400°S 111.800°W / -76.400; -111.800 (Oeschger Bluff).
Description
A flat-topped snow and rock bluff that projects from the southeast part of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photography, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Hans Oeschger (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1968–69 and 1969–70.
Bucher Rim
Bucher Rim
Feature
Bucher Rim
Coordinates
76°19′S 112°00′W / 76.317°S 112.000°W / -76.317; -112.000 (Bucher Rim)
Description
A rocky eminence on the south portion of the rim of the extinct volcano Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Peter Bucher (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1969–70.
Jaron Cliffs
Jaron Cliffs
Feature
Jaron Cliffs
Coordinates
76°23′S 112°10′W / 76.383°S 112.167°W / -76.383; -112.167 (Jaron Cliffs).
Description
A line of steep, snow-covered cliffs on the south side of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Helmut P. Jaron, aurora researcher at Byrd Station in 1963.
Möll Spur
Möll Spur
Feature
Möll Spur
Coordinates
76°23′S 112°09′W / 76.383°S 112.150°W / -76.383; -112.150 (Möll Spur).
Description
A jagged rock spur which juts southward from Jaron Cliffs on the southern slope of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Markus Moll (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1969–70.
Steuri Glacier
Steuri Glacier
Feature
Steuri Glacier
Coordinates
76°23′S 112°24′W / 76.383°S 112.400°W / -76.383; -112.400 (Steuri Glacier).
Description
A glacier descending the southern slopes of Mount Takahe. The feature is 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km; 4.0 mi) west of Moll Spur. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy aerial photography, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Heinrich Steuri (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1968–69.
Cadenazzi Rock
Cadenazzi Rock
Feature
Cadenazzi Rock
Coordinates
76°18′S 112°39′W / 76.300°S 112.650°W / -76.300; -112.650 (Cadenazzi Rock).
Description
A rock outcrop 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) east of Roper Point on the west slope of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Lieutenant Michael P. Cadenazzi, United States Navy, LH-34 helicopter commander. He flew close support missions for USARP scientists during the 1969–70 and 1970–71 seasons.
Roper Point
Roper Point
Feature
Roper Point
Coordinates
76°19′S 112°54′W / 76.317°S 112.900°W / -76.317; -112.900 (Roper Point).
Description
A largely ice-covered point, but with some rock exposures, at the west extremity of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Nathaniel A. Roper, aurora researcher at Byrd Station in 1963.
Gill Bluff
Gill Bluff
Feature
Gill Bluff
Coordinates
76°14′S 112°33′W / 76.233°S 112.550°W / -76.233; -112.550 (Gill Bluff).
Description
A rock bluff on the northwest side of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Allan Gill, aurora researcher at Byrd Station in 1963.
Feature
Coordinates
Description
Clausen Glacier
Clausen Glacier)
A narrow glacier draining northward from the summit of Mount Takahe. The terminus of the glacier is just west of Knezevich Rock. It was mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Henrik B. Clausen (University of Bern, Switzerland), United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1969–70.
Knezevich Rock
Knezevich Rock).
A rock outcrop on the lower part of the north slope of Mount Takahe. It lies at the east side of the mouth of Clausen Glacier. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy aerial photography, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Nick Knezevich Jr., United States Navy, electronics technician at South Pole Station, 1974.
Stauffer Bluff
Stauffer Bluff).
A rocky bluff at the northeast extremity of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Bernhard Stauffer (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1968–69 and 1969–70.
Oeschger Bluff
Oeschger Bluff).
A flat-topped snow and rock bluff that projects from the southeast part of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photography, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Hans Oeschger (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1968–69 and 1969–70.
Bucher Rim
Bucher Rim)
A rocky eminence on the south portion of the rim of the extinct volcano Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Peter Bucher (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1969–70.
Jaron Cliffs
Jaron Cliffs).
A line of steep, snow-covered cliffs on the south side of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Helmut P. Jaron, aurora researcher at Byrd Station in 1963.
Möll Spur
ll Spur).
A jagged rock spur which juts southward from Jaron Cliffs on the southern slope of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Markus Moll (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1969–70.
Steuri Glacier
Steuri Glacier).
A glacier descending the southern slopes of Mount Takahe. The feature is 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km; 4.0 mi) west of Moll Spur. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy aerial photography, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Heinrich Steuri (University of Bern, Switzerland), USARP glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1968–69.
Cadenazzi Rock
Cadenazzi Rock).
A rock outcrop 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) east of Roper Point on the west slope of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from surveys and United States Navy tricamera aerial photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Lieutenant Michael P. Cadenazzi, United States Navy, LH-34 helicopter commander. He flew close support missions for USARP scientists during the 1969–70 and 1970–71 seasons.
Roper Point
Roper Point).
A largely ice-covered point, but with some rock exposures, at the west extremity of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Nathaniel A. Roper, aurora researcher at Byrd Station in 1963.
Gill Bluff
Gill Bluff).
A rock bluff on the northwest side of Mount Takahe. It was mapped by the USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photographs, 1959–66. It was named by the US-ACAN for Allan Gill, aurora researcher at Byrd Station in 1963.

References

  1. From 2.58 million years ago to present.
  2. The Holocene began 11,700 years ago and continues to the present day.
  3. Alternative heights of 3,398 metres (11,148 ft) or 3,390 metres (11,120 ft) have also been reported. The initial measure
  4. The outcrops include Knezevich Rock on the northern foot, Stauffer Bluff on the north-northeastern foot, Oeschger Bluff
    https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Mount_Takahe&params=76_14_S_112_33_W_&title=Gill+Bluff
  5. Between 251.902 ± 0.024 and 66 million years ago.
  6. From 23.03 million years ago to 5.333 million years ago.
  7. Of which 780 cubic kilometres (190 cu mi) risee above the surrounding ice.
  8. A tephra layer emplaced at Siple Dome 19,700 years ago has been correlated to eruptions at Takahe.
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