Ellsworth Mountains

The Ellsworth Mountains are the highest mountain range in Antarctica. They are located in the region of West Antarctica and stretch for about 360 kilometers (224 miles).

 Geography 
The range is divided into two main parts: the Sentinel Range and the Heritage Range. The Sentinel Range is home to Vinson Massif, the highest peak in AntarcticaBockheim, J.G., Schaefer, C.E., 2015. Soils of Ellsworth Land, the Ellsworth Mountains. In: Bockheim, J.G. (Ed.), The Soils of Antarctica. World Soils Book Series, Springer, Switzerland, pp. 169–181. and one of the "Seven Summits" (the highest mountains on each of the seven continents). Mount Vinson is a popular destination for mountain climbers who want to climb the highest peak on every continent.

The Ellsworth Mountains are almost completely covered in snow and ice, with only a few rocky outcrops poking through. The range is a nunatak, which means it is a mountain peak that is not covered by the surrounding ice sheet.

 Importance 
The mountains are an important site for geological and paleontological research. Scientists have found fossils of ancient plants and animals in the rocks here, which helps them understand the history of Antarctica when it was a warmer place. The location of the mountains provides clues about the movement of the Earth's continents over millions of years.
Category:Antarctica
Category:Geography of Antarctica