Cape Purvis

Cape Purvis (63°35′S 55°58′W) is a cape forming the south extremity of Dundee Island, off the north tip of Antarctic Peninsula. Its topography is that of a promontory which forms a mesa. The rest of the island is smooth.

Composition

The only large, accessible portion of Cape Purvis is at its southwest.[1] It is composed of recently-formed volcanic rock of the James Ross Island Volcanic Group.[2][3] Cape Purvis is described as a basalt tuya in the Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science.[4]

The basalts on Cape Purvis have similar composition to lavas on Paulet Island, which is 5 kilometers east of it. Said composition is relatively low in magnesium oxide but high in titanium dioxide, calcium oxide, and niobium.[5]

Cape Purvis's snow and ice-covered summit boasts an unnamed hill at its northern edge.

Discovery

It was discovered in December 1842 by Captain James Ross, Royal Navy, and named by him for Commodore (later Rear Admiral) John B. Purvis, Royal Navy, who was of assistance to Ross' expedition. Of all islands in the James Ross Island Volcanic Group, it is the furthest north. It is also one of the youngest.

References
  1. Smellie, J.L.; McIntosh, W.C.; Esser, R.; Fretwell, P. (2006). "The Cape Purvis volcano, Dundee Island (northern Antarctic Peninsula): Late Pleistocene age, eruptive processes and implications for a glacial palaeoenvironment". Antarctic Science. 18 (3): 399–408. Bibcode:2006AntSc..18..399S. doi:10.1017/S0954102006000447.
  2. Smellie, J.L.; McIntosh, W.C.; Esser, R.; Fretwell, P. (2006). "The Cape Purvis volcano, Dundee Island (northern Antarctic Peninsula): Late Pleistocene age, eruptive processes and implications for a glacial palaeoenvironment". Antarctic Science. 18 (3): 399–408. Bibcode:2006AntSc..18..399S. doi:10.1017/S0954102006000447.
  3. "Geological Map of James Ross Island" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  4. Elias, Scott A.; Mock, Cary J. (2013). "Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science". Elsevier. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Smellie, J.L.; McIntosh, W.C.; Esser, R.; Fretwell, P. (2006). "The Cape Purvis volcano, Dundee Island (northern Antarctic Peninsula): Late Pleistocene age, eruptive processes and implications for a glacial palaeoenvironment". Antarctic Science. 18 (3): 399–408. Bibcode:2006AntSc..18..399S. doi:10.1017/S0954102006000447.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Geological Survey document: "Cape Purvis". (content from the Geographic Names Information System) 


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