Islands of the Southern Ocean

From Imakoopedia

The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica and is arbitrarily defined to lie south of 60 degrees lattitude. As there is no clear boundary between the Southern, South Atlantic, Indian and South Pacific Oceans, there are also islands in the southern parts of those oceans that, due to their climate, can be considered to be in the Southern Ocean. These island are known as the Subantarctic Islands and lie about 40 - 60 degrees South.

Table of contents

1 Destinations 1.1 Subantarctic Islands 2 Get In 3 Stay Safe 4 External Links

Destinations

• Near Antarctica - covered by the Antarctic Treaty.
  • South Orkney Islands - South of the Atlantic Ocean
  • South Shetland Islands - South of the Atlantic Ocean
  • Ballenny Islands - South of Australia
  • Scott Island - South of New Zealand
  • Peter I Island - South of the Pacific Ocean

Subantarctic Islands

• In the southern South Atlantic Ocean.
  • Falkland Islands
  • South Sandwich Islands
    • South Georgia and the former whaling station of Grytviken
  • Bouvet Island
• In the southern Indian Ocean.
  • Marion Island
  • French Southern and Antarctic Lands
    • Crozet Islands
    • Kerguelen Archipelago
• Australian Subantarctic Islands
  • Heard Island and the McDonald Islands
  • Macquarie Island
• New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
  • Auckland Islands
  • Bounty Island
  • Campbell Island
  • The Antipodies
  • The Snares

Get In

Visiting this area of the world generally requires careful planning and preparation. There are few, if any, permanent human inhabitants on these islands. Those that do inhabit this area of the world are often scientists and weather observers. Access to these destinations generally requires mounting an expedition. You may need permission to visit these desinations as many are wildlife sanctuaries or have unique environments. Special environmental conditions may be imposed. Travel is normally by ship as there are few landing strips for aircraft and most of the islands are beyond the range of helicopters.

Stay Safe

The environment is extreme, with latitudes called the roaring forties, filthy fifties and screaming sixties for good reason. Storms sweeping off Antarctica, unobstructed by any land, bring cold strong winds, rain or snow and rough seas to the region. This part of the world is the preserve of deep sea fishing ships (not boats), warships on fisheries patrols, round-the-world yachts and the occasional icebreaker its way to Antarctica. If you get into trouble, you must be prepared to rescue yourself, as emergency rescue services may be thousands of miles and several days away.

External Links

South Atlantic and Sub-Antarctic Islands Pages (http://www.btinternet.com/~sa_sa/)