Gough Island, Volcanic island in South Atlantic Ocean, Saint Helena
Description
Gough Island is a volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, forming part of the Tristan da Cunha territory and lying about 249 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of the main island. The landmass covers roughly 35 square miles (91 square kilometers) with steep coastal cliffs rising from the sea, while Edinburgh Peak towers at the center reaching 2,986 feet (910 meters) in elevation.
History
Gonçalo Álvares sighted the island in 1505 during a Portuguese expedition, but it was later named after Captain Charles Gough who rediscovered it in 1732. The British government established a weather station on the island in 1956, which has operated continuously ever since and collects meteorological data for southern Africa.
Culture
Scientists maintain a weather station operating since 1956, collecting data about meteorological conditions that affect southern African regions.
Practical
Access to the island is heavily restricted and limited mainly to researchers who study the wildlife and environmental conditions. Rough seas and unpredictable weather make landing difficult, so visits usually occur during the southern summer months.
Did you know?
House mice on the island have evolved over generations to grow much larger than normal and hunt young seabirds in their nests. This unusual predatory behavior threatens several breeding colonies of rare albatrosses and petrels.
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Inaccessible Island
411.2 kmEdinburgh Peak
1.3 km
Mount Olav
410.9 kmLong Bluff
411.6 kmHalfway Beach
410.1 kmCarlisle Beach
408.7 kmElephant Beach
6.1 kmTriple Peak
4.9 kmSeal Beach
8.1 kmNorth Rowett
808 mSouth Peak
3.4 kmLong Beach
3.3 kmFalse Peak
2.2 kmSea-hen Crag
4.2 kmThe Bakers Oven
5.8 kmWest Rowett
1.9 kmTavistock Crag
3.2 kmNoisy Beach
407 kmKern Crag
2.2 kmCentre Rowett
1.5 kmSouth Rowett
1.9 kmNigels Cap
3.5 kmSpire Crag
2 kmEast Beach
406.5 kmPhoenix Beach
408.9 kmTom's Beach
409.8 kmPig Beach
410.3 kmWaterfall
408.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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