![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Tristan_da_Cunha_ASTER.jpg/640px-Tristan_da_Cunha_ASTER.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Queen Mary's Peak
the summit of the island of Tristan da Cunha / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Queen Mary's Peak is the summit of the island of Tristan da Cunha, in the South Atlantic Ocean. The top of it is 2,062 metres (6,765 feet) above sea level. It is named after Mary of Teck, the Queen consort of King George V. It is the highest point of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
Queen Mary's Peak | |
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Tristan da Cunha | |
![]() Satellite photo of Tristan da Cunha | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,062 m (6,765 ft) |
Prominence | 2,062 m (6,765 ft) |
Isolation | 2,665 km (1,656 mi) ![]() |
Listing | Ultra |
Coordinates | 37°06′40″S 12°17′18″W |
Geography | |
![]() Location on Tristan da Cunha
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Location | Tristan da Cunha |
Geology | |
Age of rock | 148 ± 8 ka[1] |
Mountain type | Shield volcano |
Last eruption | October 1961–March 1962 |
Climbing | |
First ascent | About 1 January 1817[2] |
The mountain is the peak of the large shield volcano which forms the island. The crater at the top is 300 metres (1,000 feet) wide, with a heart-shaped lake. This lake is normally frozen during the winter, and the upper slopes of the volcano are covered in snow.[3]
The only recorded historical eruption occurred in 1961 from a small crater on the north shore of the island. The island community had to be evacuated.
Queen Mary's Peak was used by sailors on the route from Europe to the Indian Ocean and beyond as a navigational aid. In the 17th century the East India Company instructed captains to sail via Tristan.[3]