Ford Massif is a broad, snow-topped massif 15 nautical miles (28 km) long and 5 nautical miles (9 km) wide, forming the major topographic landmark of northern Thiel Mountains

Thiel Mountains

The Thiel Mountains are an isolated, mainly snow-capped mountain range in Antarctica which are long. The mountains are located roughly between the Horlick Mountains and the Pensacola Mountains, and extend from Moulton Escarpment on the west to Nolan Pillar on the east. Major components include...

. The massif rises to 2,810 m, is essentially flat, and terminates in steep rock cliffs in all but the southern side. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names

Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names

The Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names is an advisory committee of the United States Board on Geographic Names responsible for recommending names for features in Antarctica...

 (US-ACAN) for geologist Arthur B. Ford of United States Geological Survey

United States Geological Survey

The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...

 (USGS), co-leader of the 1960-61 USGS Thiel Mountains survey party and leader of the 1961-62 geologic party to these mountains. Ford led geological parties working in the Pensacola Mountains

Pensacola Mountains

The Pensacola Mountains are a large group of mountain ranges and peaks in Antarctica, extending 450 km in a NE-SW direction, comprising the Argentina Range, Forrestal Range, Dufek Massif, Cordiner Peaks, Neptune Range, Patuxent Range, Rambo Nunataks and Pecora Escarpment...

in several austral seasons, 1962-63 to 1978-79.