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Deception Island
Deception Island is an active volcano, located in the South Shetland Islands, off the coast of Antarctica. The island is located at 62º 57’ S 60º 36’ W and has a distinctive horseshoe shape, formed when a violently explosive eruption caused its summit to collapse, resulting in a large flooded caldera open to the sea through a narrow channel called Neptunes Bellows.
Satellite photograph of Deception Island
The volcano was partly active during the 18th and 19th centuries and during the 20th century eruptions occurred during two short periods between 1906 – 1910 and 1967 -1970. In 1992, enhanced seismic activity on Deception Island was accompanied by ground deformation and increased water temperatures. The island is nearly 12m long and has a highest point of 539m (Mount Pond). It was named back in 1820 by the American sealer, Nathaniel Palmer.
While Deception Island only covers an area of less than 100 km², it is home to more than 150,000 seabirds who breed along its shoreline. The island also supports an exceptional amount of flora and fauna and the largest colony of chinstrap penguins in the Antarctic at Baily Head.
The first sealing expeditions that first ventured through `the Mouth of the Dragon into the spacious harbor’ of Port Foster in the 1820’s undertook the first science in Antarctica. British scientist Henry Foster carried out magnetic experiments using pendulums in a bay that is now called Pendulum Cove in 1828. Since that time, Deception Island has had a varied history of human activity, including whaling, exploration, scientific research and tourism.
Today, Deception Island is the most visited island in the Antarctic and it is also one of the very few places on earth where vessels can sail directly into the centre of a restless volcano.
HMS Endurance in Whalers Bay, Deception Island during her 2005/6 deployment
Deception Island stands out as an unusual and unique part of Antarctica’s South Shetland Island group. The volcanic activity that has shaped the island, has made a huge difference to the bird and wildlife that each austral summer uses the island’s ice-free slopes to build nests upon, as well as the unique array of mosses, liverworts and lichens that take hold here wherever conditions allow.
The long-term protection of Deception Island is currently assured under a Management Plan, which has been adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Nations. Designated as an SMA or Specially Managed Area, Argentina, Spain, Norway, Chile, the UK and the USA work together to ensure that the island’s scientific, cultural and natural values are protected from unnecessary human disturbance.
The film clips produced by Lt Scott `Stimpy’ Simpson demonstrates the ever changing weather in Antarctica:
Island during the 2005/2006 deployment when HMS Endurance visited
Deception Island during the 2006/2007 deployment – what a contrast!
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