Deception Island
Deception Island is so-called because from a distance, it looks like any other island, but it is a flooded volcanic crater that forms a huge natural harbor with access through a narrow gap called Neptune’s Bellows. Endeavour sailed through the Bellows for a varied program of activities. We landed first in Telefon Bay for a hike up a gentle incline to look down into a small crater and see how the layer of volcanic ash covered the thick layers of ice. Back at the shore, a young male Weddell seal became another center of interest (see above). Once it had settled down to doze, this seal was reluctant to move, so it made an easy but hardly lively subject for photos.
As soon as we were back on board, the ROV was deployed and we sat in comfort, pre-lunch drinks in hand, to watch scenes of Antarctic marine life that few have had the privilege of seeing, enhanced by an expert commentary. If nothing else, the ROV shows there is more to Antarctic wildlife than seals and penguins! Hardly had lunch finished when we were ashore again in Whalers Bay. As this morning, there was an opportunity for a long hike, but also a visit to the ruins of a whaling station and a British research station, which were severely damaged by a volcanic eruption in February 1969. Floating whale factories had started to use this sheltered anchorage in 1906 and in a few years, as many as ten would be working there. The shore station was built in 1911 and operated until 1931. As much as we now deprecate whaling, the ruins are a tribute to the resourcefulness of men that built an industrial complex in such a remote and wild place.
The final event of the day was to recover the National Geographic Rope Cam which had been deployed in deep water outside Deception in the morning. We are looking forward to seeing what mysteries of deep-sea life its camera has recorded.
Deception Island is so-called because from a distance, it looks like any other island, but it is a flooded volcanic crater that forms a huge natural harbor with access through a narrow gap called Neptune’s Bellows. Endeavour sailed through the Bellows for a varied program of activities. We landed first in Telefon Bay for a hike up a gentle incline to look down into a small crater and see how the layer of volcanic ash covered the thick layers of ice. Back at the shore, a young male Weddell seal became another center of interest (see above). Once it had settled down to doze, this seal was reluctant to move, so it made an easy but hardly lively subject for photos.
As soon as we were back on board, the ROV was deployed and we sat in comfort, pre-lunch drinks in hand, to watch scenes of Antarctic marine life that few have had the privilege of seeing, enhanced by an expert commentary. If nothing else, the ROV shows there is more to Antarctic wildlife than seals and penguins! Hardly had lunch finished when we were ashore again in Whalers Bay. As this morning, there was an opportunity for a long hike, but also a visit to the ruins of a whaling station and a British research station, which were severely damaged by a volcanic eruption in February 1969. Floating whale factories had started to use this sheltered anchorage in 1906 and in a few years, as many as ten would be working there. The shore station was built in 1911 and operated until 1931. As much as we now deprecate whaling, the ruins are a tribute to the resourcefulness of men that built an industrial complex in such a remote and wild place.
The final event of the day was to recover the National Geographic Rope Cam which had been deployed in deep water outside Deception in the morning. We are looking forward to seeing what mysteries of deep-sea life its camera has recorded.
