Misplaced Pages

Aitcho Islands (South Shetland Islands)

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
(Redirected from Aitcho Islands) Minor island group in Antarctica

Aitcho Islands
Location of Aitcho Islands in the South Shetland Islands.
Aitcho Islands is located in South Shetland IslandsAitcho IslandsAitcho IslandsLocation of in the South Shetland IslandsShow map of South Shetland IslandsAitcho Islands is located in AntarcticaAitcho IslandsAitcho IslandsLocation in AntarcticaShow map of Antarctica
Geography
LocationAntarctica
Coordinates62°23′29″S 59°46′10″W / 62.39139°S 59.76944°W / -62.39139; -59.76944
ArchipelagoSouth Shetland Islands
Area1.9204 km (0.7415 sq mi)
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System
Demographics
PopulationUninhabited

The Aitcho Islands (‘Aitcho’ standing for ‘H.O.’ i.e. ‘Hydrographic Office’) are a group of minor islands on the west side of the north entrance to English Strait separating Greenwich Island and Robert Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, which are situated between Dee Island to the south and Table Island to the north. The group is separated from Dee Island and Sierra Island to the southwest by Villalón Passage (62°24′48.3″S 59°46′12.3″W / 62.413417°S 59.770083°W / -62.413417; -59.770083). The area was visited by early 19th century sealers operating from nearby Clothier Harbour. During the austral summer the islands are often visited by Antarctic cruise ships with tourists who land to watch wildlife.

The islands were mapped in 1935 during the oceanographic investigations carried out by the Discovery Committee, and named after the Hydrographic Office of the UK Admiralty. Some of the island names were given by Chilean Antarctic expeditions between 1949 and 1951.

Islands

Cecilia Island from English Strait.
Topographic map of Livingston Island, Greenwich, Robert, Snow and Smith Islands, featuring Aitcho Islands.
Barrientos Island from English Strait.

The islands and some notable rocks of the Aitcho group are:

Flora and fauna

Among the bird species found on the islands are chinstrap and gentoo penguins, southern giant petrels, and skuas. Southern elephant seals are among the larger life forms. Other seals in the region include the Antarctic fur seal and the Weddell seal. There are also a wide variety of lichens and mosses reported.

Regular wildlife surveys are conducted to assess the populations of birdlife on the islands.

See also

Maps

References

  1. ^ "Aitcho Islands". SCAR Composite Gazetteer. Australian Antarctic Program. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Aitcho Islands (AITC)". Oceanites. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Visitor Site Guidelines - 2. Barrientos Island (Aitcho Islands)". www.ats.aq. Retrieved 4 August 2021.

External links

Portals:
South Shetland Islands
Main islands
Other islands
Rocks, stacks, reefs
spits and banks
Straits
Undersea and
subglacial features
Antarctica
Geography
Regions
Bodies of Water
Life
History
Politics
Society
Famous explorers
Categories: