Peter I Island

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Image:Antarctica Peter I Island.png Location of Peter I Island
Elevation:	1,755 m
Coordinates:	Template:Coor d
Location:	Antarctica
Type:	Shield volcano
Last eruption:	Unknown
First ascent:
Easiest route:

Fabian von Bellingshausen discovered Peter I Island (in Norwegian Peter 1.s øy) off West Antarctica on January 21 1821. It takes its name after the Russian emperor Peter I. Ola Olstad made the first successful landing on February 2 1929 and claimed the island for Norway. The claim is suspended under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty, like the claims to any other territory south of 60°S. The other Antarctic territory claimed by Norway is Queen Maud Land. Peter I Island is the only Antarctic claim area under the Antarctic Treaty that is not a sector.

The island has an area of 243 km² and reaches a height of 1755 metres on Lars Christensen Peak, which is a volcano. It is not known whether it is extinct or not, for the upper part is apparently unmodified by glaciation. It lies at 68° 50' South,90° 35'West, approximately 450 km from the coast of West Antarctica. It is surrounded by pack ice except for a brief period in late summer, and is 95% glaciated.

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History

The amateur radio prefix for the island is 3Y, and the island hosts an occasional DX-pedition. As one of the most difficult entities to contact for the popular DX Century Club award, these generate intense levels of traffic.

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