Herald Island, Arctic island in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia.
Herald Island is an uninhabited island in the Chukchi Sea that rises about 364 meters above sea level and features steep cliffs along its coastline. The terrain consists of rocky outcrops with sparse vegetation, and the northwestern point offers an eroded landing area with loose rocks.
The British survey ship HMS Herald discovered the island in 1849 while searching for the lost expedition of Sir John Franklin. Later, the island became part of a wildlife preserve and came under Russian control in 1916.
The island carries the name of the British survey vessel HMS Herald, which discovered it in 1849. This naming reflects the era of Arctic exploration and how maritime expeditions shaped the geography of remote polar regions.
The island is difficult to reach, and access is mainly limited to the northwestern point with its eroded rocky shore. Visitors should expect extreme weather conditions, as this region is remote and harsh.
Four members of the Canadian Arctic Expedition reached the island in 1914 and died there under mysterious circumstances. Their remains were found about ten years later, marking a tragic chapter in Arctic exploration history.
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