Bouvet Island
Published: December 12, 2011, 12:00 am
Updated: September 27, 2012, 9:54 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Bouvet Island is a small uninhabited volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). It almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach.
Bouvet Island is a teritory of Norway, administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police.
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Photo courtesy of NASA.
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Bouvet Island, southeast side, as seen at sunrise, eight miles distant, November 26, 1898. Water color by F. Winter. P. 191. In: "Aus den Tiefen des Weltmeeres" by Carl Chun, 1903. Call No. Q115.V15 1903. Source: NOAA Photo Library |
Bouvet Island is one of the most remote islands in the world; Antarctica, over 1,600 km (1,000 mi) to the south, is the nearest land mass.
Located near the junction of three tectonic plates, the island is mostly formed from a shield volcano that is almost entirely covered by glaciers.
The prominent Kapp (Cape) Valdivia on the northern coastline is a peninsula formed by a lava dome. It is only along the steep cliffs of the coastline that the underlaying dark volcanic rock is visible against the white snow and ice blanketing the island.
Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer, Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier, after whom the island was named.
No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year.
In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island.
Bouvet Island is home to Chinstrap, Adelie, and Macaroni penguins; and, Antarctic fur seal
Location: island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic Coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E
Area: 49 sq km
Coastline: 29.6 km
Terrain: volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible. The highest point is Olav Peak (935 m)
Climate: Antarctic
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Citation
Central Intelligence Agency (Lead Author);CIA World Factbook (Content Source);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Bouvet Island". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth December 12, 2011; Last revised Date September 27, 2012; Retrieved May 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/articles/view/171914/Mid-ocean_ridges/>
The Author
The Central Intelligence Agency was created in 1947 with the signing of the National Security Act by President Harry S. Truman. The act also created a Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to serve as head of the United States intelligence community; act as the principal adviser to the President for intelligence matters related to the national security; and serve as head of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 amended the National Securit ... (Full Bio)
Bouvet Island is a small uninhabited volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). It almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach.
Bouvet Island is a teritory of Norway, administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police.
|
|
|
Photo courtesy of NASA.
|
|
|
|
Bouvet Island, southeast side, as seen at sunrise, eight miles distant, November 26, 1898. Water color by F. Winter. P. 191. In: "Aus den Tiefen des Weltmeeres" by Carl Chun, 1903. Call No. Q115.V15 1903. Source: NOAA Photo Library |
Bouvet Island is one of the most remote islands in the world; Antarctica, over 1,600 km (1,000 mi) to the south, is the nearest land mass.
Located near the junction of three tectonic plates, the island is mostly formed from a shield volcano that is almost entirely covered by glaciers.
The prominent Kapp (Cape) Valdivia on the northern coastline is a peninsula formed by a lava dome. It is only along the steep cliffs of the coastline that the underlaying dark volcanic rock is visible against the white snow and ice blanketing the island.
Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer, Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier, after whom the island was named.
No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year.
In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island.
Bouvet Island is home to Chinstrap, Adelie, and Macaroni penguins; and, Antarctic fur seal
Location: island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic Coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E
Area: 49 sq km
Coastline: 29.6 km
Terrain: volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible. The highest point is Olav Peak (935 m)
Climate: Antarctic
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
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