Cape Morris Jesup

Key facts and history

Robert Peary reached the cape on 13 May 1900, believing it to be the world's northernmost land point.^[2] Another chain of islets extends northwestward about 1 mile from the cape.^[3] The cape was later found to lie slightly south of the northernmost tip of Kaffeklubben Island.^[2] Morris Ketchum Jesup, an American philanthropist who served as president of the Peary Arctic Club and provided financial support for Peary's expeditions, is the person after whom the cape was named.^[2]

A small delta, created by a river originating from the Mary Peary Peaks, is situated roughly 5 km to the southeast of the cape.^[4]

What the cited sources add

The non-W source describes a large cape projecting westward for about 5 miles, rising to over 1,100 ft., with light yellow sandstone and dark columnar basalt rock.^[3] Two enormous glaciers separate the cape from the mainland to the eastward.^[3] The cape is at the western end of the wide Pingorssuit plateau, which rises to almost 1,000 ft. and is diversified by valleys, streams, and lakes.^[3] The coast in the vicinity is described as a steep wall of cliffs with a design in brown and grey, contrasting with snow-covered peaks inland.^[3]