Scientists will visit the site of Australia’s only active volcano for the first time in more than 20 years.
The Australian Antarctic Division is planning to visit Heard Island and nearby McDonald Islands, Australia’s most remote territory.
Protected Areas and Species Director Annette Dunkley said Heard Island was home to Australia’s only active volcano, with 12 major glaciers carving through the landscape and penguin and seal colonies dotting the coastline.
“With the nearby McDonald Islands, they are located in the southern Indian Ocean, 4000km south-west of the Australian mainland,” Ms Dunkley said.
She said the campaign, using Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, would be the Australian Antarctic Program’s first visit to Heard Island in more than 20 years, and would check on the state of the islands’ unique flora and fauna.
“(The territory) illustrates some of the most undisturbed and dynamic ecosystems in the world.
“This means natural processes like evolution, volcanic activity and glaciation have been happening with almost no human interaction or disturbance.
“As an external territory of Australia, it is our responsibility to understand and protect this very special area.”
Project Lead Aleks Terauds said the visit was also an opportunity to conduct critical terrestrial and marine science.
“Some of our priorities include understanding the current status of threatened seabirds and seals and conducting surveys of marine ecosystems to inform fisheries management,” Dr Terauds said.
“We will also be mapping the bathymetry (sea floor) around the islands and conducting climate science to better understand glacial retreat.
“Understanding the current status and trends of the wildlife, ecosystems and environment is essential for managing this unique World Heritage Area and Marine Reserve.”
