Mesa Range Explained

Map:Antarctica
Label:Mesa Range
Region:Victoria Land, Antarctica
Country:Antarctica
Country Type:Continent
Range Coordinates:-73.1833°N 217°W

The Mesa Range (-73.1833°N 217°W) is a range of flat-topped mesas comprising the Sheehan, Pain, Tobin and Gair Mesas, situated at the head of the Rennick Glacier in Victoria Land, Antarctica. It was given this descriptive name by the northern party of the New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition (NZGSAE) of 1962–63.

Location

The Gair, Tobin and Pain mesas are in the east side of the middle reach of the Rennick Glacier, and the Sheehan Mesa is on the west side. The Monument Nunataks are to the northwest, the Freyberg Mountains to the north, Half-ration Névé and the larger Evans Névé to the northeast, the Southern Cross Mountains to the east, and the Deep Freeze Range to the south.

Sheehan Mesa

-73.0167°N 180°W. A prominent mesa standing west-northwest of Pain Mesa in the northwest part of Mesa Range. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for Maurice Sheehan, field assistant with this party.

Silva Ridge

-72.9833°N 179°W. A ridge leading to the top of Sheehan Mesa, on the northeast side. Large silicified tree stumps in place of growth were found halfway up this ridge, hence named Silva by the Northern Party of NZGSAE, 1962–63.

Pain Mesa

-73.1333°N 163°W. A large mesa just north of Tobin Mesa in the Mesa Range. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for Kevin Pain, deputy leader of this party.

Mount Masley

-72.9833°N 216°W. A prominent flat-topped summit, high, in the narrow, northern part of Pain Mesa, situated east of Silva Ridge. Mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Andrew J. Masley, ionospheric physics scientist at McMurdo Station, summer 1962–63.

Biretta Peak

-73.0667°N 175°W. A small peak high on the east side of Pain Mesa. Named by the northern party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, from its resemblance to the square cap worn by Roman Catholic and some Anglican clerics.

Mills Valley

-73.1°N 175°W. An ice-filled valley indenting the east side of Pain Mesa between Biretta Peak and Diversion Hills. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by US-ACAN for Commander Norman J. Mills, United States Navy Reserve, officer in charge of the Detachment A winter party at McMurdo Station, 1967.

Diversion Hills

-73.15°N 193°W. A small group of low rock outcrops at the east extremity of Pain Mesa. Named by the southern party of NZGSAE, 1966–67, because the party diverted eastward from their route here to visit Navigator Nunatak.

Mount Ballou

-73.2333°N 166°W. A pinnacle-type mountain high which forms the south end of Pain Mesa and the north side of the entrance to Pinnacle Gap. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by US-ACAN for Commander Justin G. Ballou, United States Navy, officer in charge of the Detachment A winter party at McMurdo Station, 1966.

Tobin Mesa

-73.2833°N 214°W. A large mesa in the Mesa Range, between Pain Mesa on the north and Gair Mesa on the south. Named by the Northern Party of NZGSAE, 1962–63, for James Tobin, surveyor with this party.

Siders Bluff

-73.2167°N 202°W. A bold rock bluff that forms the northwest end of Tobin Mesa. The bluff exposes an easily accessible section of Jurassic basalt. The feature was studied by Ohio State University geological parties in 1981–82 and 1982–83.Named by US-ACAN after Mary A. Siders, geologist in those field parties.

Pinnacle Gap

73°N 15°W