Gable Island facts for kids
Gable Island (which is Isla Gable in Spanish) is an Argentine island. It is part of the Tierra del Fuego Province. This island sits on the northern side of the Beagle Channel, a famous waterway that runs east to west.
Gable Island is very close to Tierra del Fuego Island, less than 300 meters away. It's also about 1.5 kilometers from Navarino Island in Chile. The island has a unique, uneven shape with many shallow areas, called shoal banks, that reach into its bays and the open channel.
Most of Gable Island is covered by a type of dense forest known as the Magallanic forest. You can also see landforms called Drumlins here. These drumlins were formed by glaciers during the last ice age. They have created several small lagoons, which are like tiny lakes, across the island.
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Exploring Gable Island
Gable Island is a fascinating place to explore, especially if you love nature and history. Its unique landscape tells a story of ancient glaciers and rich ecosystems.
Where is Gable Island?
Gable Island is located in the southern part of South America. It is part of Argentina, specifically in the Tierra del Fuego Province. The island is found within the Beagle Channel, which is a strait in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. This channel separates the main island of Tierra del Fuego from smaller islands to the south.
Close Neighbors
Gable Island is very close to some other important landmasses:
- It's less than 300 meters from the large Tierra del Fuego Island.
- It's about 1.5 kilometers from Navarino Island, which belongs to Chile.
What Does Gable Island Look Like?
The island has an interesting and irregular shape. This means its coastline is not smooth or even. It has many small inlets and points.
Shoal Banks and Bays
Around the island, you'll find many shoal banks. These are areas where the water is very shallow. They extend out into the bays and the main channel. This makes the waters around Gable Island unique and a bit tricky for boats.
Forests and Glacial Features
Most of Gable Island is covered by a thick Magallanic forest. This type of forest is common in the southern parts of South America. It's known for its hardy trees and plants that can survive in cool, windy conditions.
The island's landscape was also shaped by ice! Drumlins are long, oval-shaped hills made of glacial till (rock and sediment left behind by glaciers). These drumlins were formed during the last ice age. They have created natural dips and hollows in the land, which have filled with water to form several small lagoons across the island.
Images for kids
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View of Gable Island (right) in Beagle Channel seen from above Puerto Williams.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Gable para niños
