Wilkes Subglacial Basin is a large subglacial basin discovered by the United States Victoria Land Traverse 1959-1960 (Weihaupt, J., 1961,Geophysical Studies in Victoria Land, Antarctica,Report No. 1, Geophysical and Polar Research Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, 123 pages). The WSB is situated generally southward of George V Coast

George V Coast

George V Coast is that portion of the coast of Antarctica lying between Point Alden, at 142° 02' E, and Cape Hudson, at 153° 45' E. Explored by members of the Main Base party of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition under Douglas Mawson who named this feature for King George V of the United Kingdom...

 and westward of Prince Albert Mountains

Prince Albert Mountains

The Prince Albert Mountains are a major mountain group in Antarctica over 320 km long. Located in Victoria Land, they run north-south between the Priestley and Ferrar glaicers....

 in East Antarctica

East Antarctica

East Antarctica, also called Greater Antarctica, constitutes the majority of the Antarctic continent, lying on the Indian Ocean side of the Transantarctic Mountains...

. Discovered and delineated by the U.S. Victoria Land Traverse 1959-1960 seismic-gravity party, the feature is approximately 1400 km long and 400 km wide. 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) (1961) for the proximity of the western portion of this feature to Wilkes Land

Wilkes Land

Wilkes Land is a large district of land in eastern Antarctica, formally claimed by Australia as part of the Australian Antarctic Territory, though the validity of this claim has been placed for the period of the operation of the Antarctic Treaty, to which Australia is a signatory...

, and for the explorations along George V Coast by the United States Exploring Expedition

United States Exploring Expedition

The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones. The voyage was authorized by Congress in...

 (1838–42) under Lieutenant Charles Wilkes

Charles Wilkes

Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...

, USN.