Scott Coast

a part of the western coast of Victoria Land in Eastern Antarctica, extending for about 400 km along the Ross Sea. Most of Scott Coast is occupied by the Prince Albert Mountains, with elevations of more than 2,500 m; a glacial plateau lies to the east of the mountains. Along the shores are shelf ice and piedmont glaciers. Some parts of the coast are free of ice, the largest such area being the Victoria “Oasis.” In the “dry” valleys of this “oasis” there are a number of unusual lakes, for example, Lake Vanda; these lakes are permanently covered with ice even though the water temperature at lower depths is higher than 20°-25°C. The New Zealand scientific station Vanda is located in one of these valleys. Scott Coast was named in honor of R. F. Scott.