Biruni Island (Bulgarian: остров Бируни, romanizedostrov Biruni, IPA: [ˈɔstrov biˈruni]) is the rocky island off the north coast of Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica 450 m long in southwest–northeast direction and 150 m wide, with a surface area of 3.59 ha. It is separated from Elephant Island by a passage narrowing to 70 m at points. The island was formed as a result of the retreat of Elephant Island's ice cap at the turn of the 21st century.

Biruni Island
Biruni Island is located in South Shetland Islands
Biruni Island
Biruni Island
Location in the South Shetland Islands
Biruni Island is located in Antarctica
Biruni Island
Biruni Island
Location in Antarctica
Geography
LocationAntarctica
Coordinates61°06′32.5″S 54°59′04″W / 61.109028°S 54.98444°W / -61.109028; -54.98444
ArchipelagoSouth Shetland Islands
Area3.59 ha (8.9 acres)
Length450 m (1480 ft)
Width150 m (490 ft)
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty
Demographics
Populationuninhabited
Map of Elephant Island

The feature is named after Abu Rayhan Biruni (973-1048), an Iranian scholar who proposed the use of triangulation to measure distances and position places; in association with other names in the area deriving from the early development or use of geodetic instruments and methods.

Location

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Biruni Island is centred at 61°06′32.5″S 54°59′04″W / 61.109028°S 54.98444°W / -61.109028; -54.98444,[1] which is 21.3 km east-southeast of Cape Yelcho, 880 m southwest of Saffar Island, 6.56 km west-southwest of Point Wild and 820 m west-northwest of Ronalds Point. British mapping of the area in 1822,1972 and 2009.

See also

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Maps

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Notes

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  1. ^ Bulgarian Antarctic Gazetteer. Antarctic Place-names Commission

References

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This article includes information from the Antarctic Place-names Commission of Bulgaria which is used with permission.