Adopting one name per feature on maps of Antarctica: an experimental application – topographic map (satellite image map) 1:250 000 Trinity Peninsula SP 21-22/13
Summary: Antarctica was the focus of numerous exploring and commercial expeditions by different nations during the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries and today it is a truly international laboratory for science. Many different
languages have been used to identify geographical features in Antarctica over the years and, because several nations have visited the same areas of the continent, double or multiple naming of geographical features has arisen, thus
creating synonyms. Such duplication can cause confusion during the exchange of information if there is any ambiguity in the description and location of geographical features, and it also has significance for international search and rescue operations.
International guidelines for proposing and using geographical names in Antarctica are being developed under the auspices of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). For newly identified features only one name per feature is being advocated. However, the multiplicity of existing names for a large number of Antarctic geographical features creates problems, particularly for researchers working on international projects. In an attempt to overcome the difficulties of selecting one name per feature for display on maps, where space is limited, the authors used the guidelines in preparation by SCAR to develop a set of rules for international use that can be applied to existing Antarctic
geographical names. According to these rules. historical priority should be the prime reason for selecting a name, and the name should be retained in its original
language, but justification for ignoring historical priority is also given. Examples of synonyms, and their reduction to one name per feature for use on
a topographic (satellite image) map of Trinity Peninsula, are cited in the paper.