FACTOID #53: If you thought Antarctica was inhospitable, think again - its land area is only ninety-eight percent ice. Reassuringly, the other 2% is categorised as "barren rock".
Elevations bordering the Beardmore Glacier, at the western extremity of these mountains, were observed by the British expeditions led by Ernest Shackleton (1907-09) and Robert Falcon Scott (1910-13), but the mountains as a whole were mapped by several American expeditions led by Richard E. Byrd (1930s and 1940s), and USARP and NZARP expeditions from the 1950s through the 1970s.
The Queen Maud Mountains is divided into the following ranges:
The main purpose of the military personnel is to operate a Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base.
The island is inhabited by personnel operating a Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base with a staff of 14 and a weather services station with a staff of four.
Historic stations and huts on the island are Hoyberg, Vera, Olsbu, Puppebu (cabin), Gamlemetten or Gamlestasjonen (the old weather station), Jan Mayen Radio, Helenehytta, Margarethhytta, and Ulla (a cabin at the foot of the Beerenberg).