Feature Name (see definition): Ronne Ice Shelf

Feature Class (see definition): Glacier

Country Code (see definition): AQ (Antarctica)

Feature ID (see definition): 12871

Primary Latitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds (see definition):
78° 30' 00" S

Primary Longitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds (see definition):
061° 00' 00" W

Primary Latitude in decimal degrees (see definition): -78.5

Primary Longitude in decimal degrees (see definition): -61

Elevation (see definition): No data

Decision Year (see definition): 01/01/1968

Description (see definition): The larger and western of the two major ice shelves at the head of Weddell Sea. It is bounded on the west by the base of Antarctic Peninsula and Ellsworth Land, and on the east by Berkner Island. Commander Finn Ronne, U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR), leader of Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (RARE) (1947-48), discovered and photographed a strip along the entire northern portion of this ice shelf in two aircraft flights in November and December 1947. He named it "Lassiter Shelf Ice" and gave the name "Edith Ronne Land" to the land presumed to lie south of it. In 1957-58, the US-IGY party at Ellsworth Station, under now Captain Ronne, determined that the ice shelf was larger than previously charted, that it extends southward to preempt most of "Edith Ronne Land." Inasmuch as Captain James Lassiter's name has been assigned to a coast of Palmer Land, the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) has approved the name Ronne Ice Shelf for this large ice shelf. The recommendation is on the basis of first sighting and exploration of the ice shelf by Ronne and parties under his leadership. Named for Edith Ronne, wife of Captain Ronne, who made important contributions to the planning, organization, and operation of Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (RARE) and who served as observer at the Stonington Island base while Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (RARE) members were in the field. (Filchner Ice Shelf lies between Berkner Island and Coats Land.)

Date Created (see definition): No data

Date Edited (see definition): No data