What is Ross Island?
{{redlinks|date=November 2011}} {{Infobox Islands | name = Ross Island | image_name = RossIslandMap.jpg | image_caption = Map of Ross Island | map = Antarctica | nickname = | location = [[Antarctica]] | coordinates = {{coord|77|40|S|168|00|E|type:isle|display=inline,title}} | archipelago = | total_islands = | major_islands = | area_km2 = 2460 | length = | width = | highest_mount = [[Mount Erebus|Erebus]] | elevation_m = 3794 | population = | population_as_of = | density = | ethnic_groups = | country = Antarctica | additional_info = Administered under the [[Antarctic Treaty System]] }} [[Image:orthographic projection centred over Ross Island.png|right|thumb|200px|orthographic projection centred over Ross Island]][[Image:Ross Island 1999.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Land fast sea ice in the foreground. Ross Island in the background. 77° 30&prime; S Latitude 168° 00&prime; E Longitude.]] '''Ross Island''' is an island which was formed by four [[volcano]]es in the [[Ross Sea]], which can be found near the continent, [[Antarctica]]. ==Geography== Because of the persistent presence of the ice sheet, the island is sometimes mistaken to be a part of Antarctica. Its area is 2,460&nbsp;km² (950 sq mi); only a small portion of the island is free of ice and snow. The planet's southernmost [[active volcano]], [[Mount Erebus|Erebus]] (3794 m), as well as the [[dormant volcano]] [[Mount Terror (Antarctica)|Terror]] (3230 m), are situated on the island. They were named by Ross after his ships [[HMS Erebus (1826)|HMS ''Erebus'']] and [[HMS Terror (1813)|HMS ''Terror'']]. The third highest peak is [[Mount Bird]], and on its slopes are [[Shell Glacier]] and [[Endeavour Piedmont Glacier]]. [[Abbott Peak (Antarctica)|Abbott Peak]] stands between Mount Erebus and Mount Bird. Despite its relatively small size, Ross Island is the world's [[List of islands by highest point|6th highest island]]. ==Discov