Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands

Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands

Elephant Island is an ice-covered, mountainous island off the coast of Antarctica in the South Shetland Islands. It is situated within Antarctic claims of Argentina, Chile, and the United Kingdom. The island has a total area of 558 km2 and is located 245km north-northeast of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Elephant Island is known for its rugged terrain, with important features such as Cape Yelcho, Cape Valentine, Cape Lookout, and Point Wild. Visitors to Elephant Island can see colonies of chinstrap, gentoo, and macaroni penguins, as well as Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. The island holds historic significance as the refuge of Ernest Shackleton and his crew in 1916 following the loss of their ship. Today, Elephant Island is popular for scientific research, offering a glimpse into Antarctica's unique ecosystem.

Location

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Region: null

Country: Antarctica

Coordinates: 61°08′S 55°07′W