About South Shetland Island:
- Location: The South Shetland Islands are a remote archipelago located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
- The South Shetland Islands are often called the jewel in Antarctica’s crown.
- It was first discovered in 1819 by British mariner William Smith
- Formation: The islands were formed by volcanic activity, and some of the islands are still active today.
- The most well-known is Deception Island, which has a large, flooded caldera.
- More than 80% of the land area is covered by permanent ice.
- There are no permanent residents on this island. Some countries maintain small teams at research stations, depending on the season.
- Fauna
- Birds: Gentoo, Chinstrap, Adélie and even a couple of Macaroni Penguins breed on the islands.
- Mammals: The marine mammals consist of species such as Crabeater Seal, Leopard Seal, Weddell Seal, Fin Whale, Humpback Whale, and the Southern Right Whale.
