Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island is the only place on earth where rocks from the earth's mantle (6 km below the ocean floor) are being actively exposed above sea-level. This makes it an important focus of geological study.
The island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between Australia and Antarctica. Fauna found on the island include: Subantarctic Fur Seals, Antarctic Fur Seals, New Zealand Fur Seals and Southern Elephant Seals - over 80,000 individuals of this species. Royal Penguins breed only on this island; King Penguins, Southern Rockhopper Penguins and Gentoo penguins also breed here.
Map of Macquarie Island
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- Full Name
- Macquarie Island
- Unesco ID
- 629
- Country
- Australia
- Inscribed
- 1997
- Type
- Natural
- Criteria
-
7 8
- Categories
- Natural landscape - Volcanic and thermal
- Link
- By ID
Site History
1997 Inscribed
1992 Rejected
Interesting geologically but not of Universal Significance. Possibility of a wider nomination possibly with NZ islands?
Site Links
Unesco Website
Official Website
Related
In the News
An ambitious plan to eradicate rabbits, mice and rats from Macquarie Island has been put on hold because of bad weather.A team of 20 experts left for the island in May, with the aim of exterminating the pests during winter by dropping baits strategically across the island from a helicopter. (2010.07.22)
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11 Community Members have visited.