Shag Rocks (South Georgia)

Shag Rocks, Aurora Islands
Geography
Coordinates53°32′51″S 42°01′12″W / 53.54750°S 42.02000°W / -53.54750; -42.02000
ArchipelagoSouth Georgia
Area20 ha (49 acres)
Highest elevation75 m (246 ft)
Administration
Demographics
Population0

The Shag Rocks (Spanish: Islas Aurora) are six small islets in the westernmost extreme of South Georgia, 240 km (150 mi) west of the main island of South Georgia and 1,000 km (620 mi) off the Falkland Islands. The Shag Rocks are located at 53°32′51″S 42°01′12″W / 53.54750°S 42.02000°W / -53.54750; -42.02000. 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) further southeast is Black Rock, which is located at 53°38′06″S 41°46′30″W / 53.63500°S 41.77500°W / -53.63500; -41.77500 (Black Rock).

The Shag Rocks cover a total area of less than 20 hectares (49 acres). Situated on the South Georgia Ridge, they have a peak elevation above sea level of 75 metres (246 ft), and stand in water approximately 319 metres (1,047 ft) deep. Temperatures average −1.2 °C (29.8 °F), rarely climbing above 15 °C (59 °F). There is no significant vegetation, but the rocks are covered by the guano of seabirds. The main wildlife found on the rocks are the South Georgia shags, prions and wandering albatrosses.