Petrel Island (Antarctica)
Dumont d'Urville Station on Petrel Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 66°40′S 140°1′E / 66.667°S 140.017°E |
| Archipelago | Géologie Archipelago |
| Major islands | Petrel Island, Gouverneur Island, Alexis Carel Island, Jean Rostand Island |
| Area | 0.33 km2 (0.13 sq mi) |
| Length | 900 m (3000 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 44 m (144 ft) |
| Highest point | La Cave |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 30 |
| Pop. density | 90/km2 (230/sq mi) |
Petrel Island (French: Île des Pétrels) is a rocky island, 900 m long and 45 m in elevation, which lies north-west of Rostand Island and is the largest feature in the cluster of islands at the south-eastern end of Géologie Archipelago. It was photographed from the air by U.S. Navy Operation Highjump, 1946–47, charted by the French Antarctic Expedition, 1949–51, and so named by them because numerous snow petrel nests present. In January 1952, following destruction of the Port Martin base by fire, the French Antarctic Expedition under Marret, 1952–53, enlarged the hut on Petrel Island to serve as the new base site. The island is now the site of Dumont d'Urville Station.