Murray Island (Antarctica) facts for kids
Location of Pefaur (Ventimiglia) Peninsula on Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula
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 Murray Islands
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 64°22′S 61°34′W / 64.367°S 61.567°W |
| Length | 10 km (6 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Murray Island, sometimes called Bluff Island, is a long island in Antarctica. It stretches about 6 miles (10 kilometers) and is located off the west coast of Graham Land. This area is known as Hughes Bay.
People who hunted seals knew about this land feature as early as the 1820s. However, old maps showed it as part of the mainland. In 1922, a ship named Graham, which was used for hunting whales, sailed through the narrow waterway next to it. This trip proved that it was indeed a separate island, not connected to the mainland. The island was named after Cape Murray, which is the part of the island closest to the sea.
A Special Place for Birds
A part of Murray Island is very important for birds. This area is about 98 hectares (242 acres) and is free of ice. It is located on the western side of a small peninsula on the island's northern coast.
This spot has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. An IBA is a place that is very important for bird populations. In 1989, scientists found a large group of Antarctic shags living and raising their young here. There were about 180 pairs of these birds nesting on the island. This makes Murray Island a vital home for these special Antarctic birds.
