Seal Islands (South Shetland Islands) facts for kids
Location of Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands
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 Seal Islands
Location in Antarctic Peninsula
Seal Islands
Location in Antarctica
Location of Seal Islands
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 60°58′S 55°24′W / 60.967°S 55.400°W |
| Archipelago | South Shetland Islands |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | uninhabited |
| Additional information | |
| CEMP Site No.1. | |
The Seal Islands are a group of small islands and rocky areas in Antarctica. They are also known by other names like Îles des Phoques or Islas Foca. These islands are located about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) north of Elephant Island. They are part of the South Shetland Islands.
The Seal Islands stretch about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from east to west. A channel called Sealers Passage separates them from Elephant Island. The islands got their name in 1820 from Captain William Smith. He named the largest island "Seal Island" because many seals were hunted there.
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What are the Seal Islands Like?
Seal Island is the biggest island in the group. It has tall, steep cliffs along its coast. There is a sandy beach on the western side and a few small coves. The island rises to a height of 125 meters (410 feet).
The islands are made of soft rocks that can be easily worn away by waves and water runoff. Other islands in the group are also rocky with steep cliffs. They have very few beaches. Ice covers the islands during parts of the year.
Home to Amazing Wildlife
The Seal Islands are a very important place for birds and seals. BirdLife International has named the islands and the water around them an Important Bird Area (IBA). This area is about 514 hectares (1,270 acres) in size.
Penguins and Other Birds
The islands are home to many breeding colonies of chinstrap penguins. There are about 20,000 pairs of these penguins living here! Other birds also nest on the islands in smaller numbers. These include macaroni penguins, southern giant petrels, and imperial shags. You can also find Cape petrels, Wilson's storm petrels, snowy sheathbills, and kelp gulls.
Seals and Their Pups
Antarctic fur seals also breed on the Seal Islands. Around 600 fur seal pups are born here every year. Other types of seals visit the islands to rest on the land. These include Southern elephant seals, Weddell seals, leopard seals, and crabeater seals.
See also
In Spanish: Farallones Focas para niños
