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PROUD SPONSOR OF THIS GEOTRIP
Antarctic Monument on Mt. Victoria
PROUD SPONSOR OF THIS GEOTRIP
Accessibility: WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
WHAT'S HERE?
The Richard Byrd memorial points due south. K.Amai / VUW
This monument signifies the relationship between the United States and New Zealand with the memorial dedicated to the American polar explorer and aviator Richard Byrd.
LEARN ABOUT IT
The top of the memorial aligns with the earth's axis, pointing at the South Celestial Pole.
The memorial is designed in the shape of an antarctic polar tent, with the top edge aligning due south toward the geographic South Pole.
At the base of the memorial there is an outline of the Antarctic Treaty which is an agreement and major milestone in terms of international cooperation and was first signed in 1959. This treaty did, and still does today, make sure that Antarctica remains non-militarized and is only used exclusively for peaceful reasons such as scientific research, conservation and preservation. (see 'Links' to learn more)
At the base of the memorial there is an outline of the Antarctic Treaty which is an agreement and major milestone in terms of international cooperation and was first signed in 1959. This treaty did, and still does today, make sure that Antarctica remains non-militarized and is only used exclusively for peaceful reasons such as scientific research, conservation and preservation. (see 'Links' to learn more)
HAVE A LOOK!
Antarctic rock specimens. K.Amai / VUW
The facade on the southern side of the monument faces towards Antarctica and is made up of a range of rocks from the Koettlitz Glacier Region as well as Cape Hallet and Cape Evans. The mural on the sides of the memorial are of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) which are visible from Antarctica and (less frequently) from New Zealand.
If you visit the memorial on a starry night you will be able to locate the Southern Cross and the Pointers constellation and work out where due south is.
If you visit the memorial on a starry night you will be able to locate the Southern Cross and the Pointers constellation and work out where due south is.
-41.2970538785809
174.793647229671
Directions/Advisory
Follow (not always obvious) signs up Carlton Gore Road from the east end of Oriental Parade. There are one or two sharp bends up the narrow road. You can also get here from Constable Road in Newtown: take Alexandra Road and turn left onto Lookout Road near the summit.
Google Directions
Accessibility:
WHEELCHAIR
Parking available nearby
Features
Sedimentary
Volcanic
Plutonic
Metamorphic
Geological Age
The rocks are variable in age.
Links