Macquarie Island

About Macquarie Island:

• Macquarie Island is located around 1,500km southeast of Tasmania.
• It is the exposed crest of the 1,600 km-long undersea Macquarie Ridge.
• This is the only piece of land in the world formed entirely of oceanic crust.
• Macquarie Ridge is one of only 3 such ridges that impede the Antarctic Circumpolar Circulation.
• This results in distinct differences between the west and east sides of the ridge, which are used in different ways by different species.
• Fauna: It is home to 4 species of penguins and 4 species of albatross, the island recorded 57 seabird species.  
• This Island and its surrounding seas are already protected as a Tasmanian reserve.
• The area is also designated as a World Heritage Area.