I was today years old when I learned…

McMurdo Station sits on Ross Island – yes, an island. And I guess I never really pieced that together (oddly a pun for this whole post) until recently.

Permanent Ice Shelf: The Ross Ice Shelf and main continental ice sheet attach directly to Ross Island year-round, meaning it is permanently welded to the mainland rather than just seasonally connected.

Surrounding Water: While it is technically an island in the Ross Sea and McMurdo Sound, only the surrounding sea ice melts and refreezes with the seasons.

** A “sound” is: a large ocean or sea inlet, a wide channel between two landmasses, or a body of water separating an island from the mainland.

Appearance: Because of this solid glacial bridge, the island often gives the visual impression of being part of the mainland.