Kiska, Volcanic island in Aleutians West Census Area, United States
Kiska is a volcanic island in the Aleutian chain with a summit rising to 1,221 meters (4,006 feet) above sea level. The elliptical crater at the northern summit area measures roughly 0.4 kilometers (1,300 feet) across.
The island served as a Japanese military base during World War II and was one of the few occupied American territories in the conflict. After Japanese forces evacuated in 1943, Allied troops landed on the deserted island.
The name comes from the Unangax language and recalls the indigenous population who lived throughout the Aleutians before Russian explorers arrived in the region. Remnants of mid-20th-century military installations still mark several locations across the landscape today.
The nearest settlement lies more than 153 miles away, so visiting requires specialized transport arrangements. Weather in this remote region is often harsh with frequent fog and strong Pacific winds.
A parasitic cinder cone formed in 1962 at Sirius Point and rises roughly 30 meters (100 feet) high. This geologically young feature appeared long after the older formations of the main island.
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