Beagle Island (Antarctica) facts for kids
 Beagle Island
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 63°25′S 54°40′W / 63.417°S 54.667°W |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Beagle Island is a small island located near Antarctica. It is found in a group of islands called the Danger Islands, which are close to Joinville Island. This island was named in 1963 by a group called the UK Antarctic Place-Names Committee.
The island got its name from a famous ship, HMS Beagle. This ship was known for carrying Charles Darwin on his important voyages. Beagle Island was named this way because it is very close to Darwin Island.
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Amazing Wildlife on Beagle Island
Beagle Island is a busy place for many animals, especially during the summer months. It is home to a huge number of Adélie penguins. Hundreds of thousands of these penguins come to the island to build their nests and raise their young.
Other Animals You Might See
Besides the penguins, you can spot other interesting birds on the island's shorelines. These include sheathbills, skuas, and pintados (also known as Cape petrels). In the waters around the island, you might even see leopard seals swimming and hunting.
The Island's Ancient Rocks
Beagle Island is made up of a type of rock called diorite. These rocks formed a very long time ago, between 80 and 120 million years ago. This was during a period in Earth's history known as the Cretaceous Period.
How the Rocks Formed
The diorite rocks on Beagle Island are linked to a process called subduction. This happens when one of Earth's large tectonic plates slides beneath another. This process created a chain of geological features that stretched from Antarctica all the way to Alaska. The rocks of Beagle Island are a small part of this ancient and massive geological event.
