Part 4Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 4

Part 4 Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 4

  Deception Island, South Shetland Islands.

  Latitude 62 57 S, longitude 60 38 W.

i. Natural value

  Deception Island is one of only two volcanoes in the Antarctic at which eruptions have been observed. It was responsible for numerous ash layers dispersed across the South Shetland Islands, Bransfield Strait and the Scotia Sea. Ash from the island has even been recorded in an ice core at the South Pole. The volcano erupted during two short periods during the 20th century, most recently between 1967–1970. It contains a restless caldera that is actively deforming. It is therefore likely that Deception Island will witness further eruptions in the future.

  The Area has an exceptionally important flora, including at least 18 species which have not been recorded elsewhere in the Antarctic. No other Antarctic area is comparable. Of particular importance are the very small, unique biological communities associated with the island’s geothermal areas, and the most extensive known community of the flowering plant Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis).

  Eight species of seabird breed on the island, including the worlds largest colony of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica).

  The benthic habitat of Port Foster is of ecological interest due to the natural perturbations caused by volcanic activity.

ii. Scientific value and activities

  The Area is of outstanding scientific interest, in particular for studies in geoscience and biological science. It offers the rare opportunity to study the effects of environmental change on an ecosystem, and the dynamics of the ecosystem as it recovers from natural disturbance.

  Long term seismological and biological data-sets have been collected at Decepciόn Station (Argentina) and Gabriel de Castilla Station (Spain).

iii. Historic value

  The Area has had a long history of human activity since c.1820, including exploration, sealing, whaling, aviation and scientific research, and as such has played a significant role in Antarctic affairs.

  At Whalers Bay, the Norwegian Hektor whaling station, the cemetery and other artefacts, some of which pre-date the whaling station, are the most significant whaling remains in the Antarctic. The British ‘Base B’, which was established in the abandoned whaling station, was the first base of the secret World War II expedition ‘Operation Tabarin’, the forerunner to the British Antarctic Survey. As such, it was one of the earliest permanent research stations in Antarctica. The whalers remain and Base B are listed as Historic Site and Monument (HSM) No. 71.

  The remains of the Chilean Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda Station at Pendulum Cove are listed as HSM No. 76. Meteorological and volcanological studies were undertaken at the base from 1955 until its destruction by volcanic eruptions in 1967 and 1969.