DECEPTION ISLAND ANTARCTICA -PART 1 -BACKGROUND UNIT

Deception Island was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions which resulted in its emergence from the sea. This unit takes students to the island to realise that this island is still affected by volcanic heat. Within a very cold environment it is possible to dig a shallow trench within the ash-covered beaches of Whalers Bay and soak in warm water. This unit sets the back ground to other units dealing with the formation of the island ; the history of settlement; and the evacuation due to the 1969 volcanic eruption. It can also be used as a background to the series on “The Penguins of Antarctica” because this island is the location of the largest world concentration of Chinstrap Penguins.