Brown Bluff is a tuya located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica. It formed in the past 1 million years, which erupted subglacially within an englacial lake. The volcano's original diameter is thought to have been about 12-15 kilometers, and probably formed by a single vent. Brown Bluff is subdivided into four stages: pillow volcano, tuff cone, slope failure, and hyaloclastite delta and into five structural units. The volcano is named "Brown Bluff" because of its steep slopes and its brown-to-black hyaloclastite.

Antarctic Sound (63°20′S, 056°45′W) is a body of water about 48 km (30 mi) long and from 11 to 19 km (7 to 12 mi) wide, separating the Joinville Island group from the northeast end of Antarctic Peninsula.

The sound was named by the Swedish Antarctic Expedition under Otto Nordenskiöld for the expedition ship Antarctic which, in 1902 under the command of Carl Anton Larsen, was the first vessel to navigate it.

Wilhelmina Bay is a bay 15 miles wide between Reclus Peninsula and Cape Anna along the west coast of Graham Land. Discovered by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition, 1897-99, under Adrien de Gerlache, and named for Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands.

Port Lockroy is a natural harbour on the Antarctic Peninsula of the British Antarctic Territory. After its discovery in 1903 by the French Antarctic Expedition it was used for whaling and British military operations (Operation Tabarin) during World War II and then continued to operate as a British research station until 1962.

In 1996 Port Lockroy was renovated and is now a museum and Post office operated by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. It is designated as Historic Site no. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Antarctica. Proceeds from the small souvenir shop fund the upkeep of the site and other historic sites and monuments in Antarctica.

Port Lockroy was named after Edouard Lockroy, a French politician and Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, who assisted Jean-Baptiste Charcot in obtaining government support for the French expedition.

A major experiment on the island is to test the effect of tourism on penguins. Half the island is open to tourists, while the other half is reserved for penguins. So far, interestingly, the results show that tourism has a slight positive effect on penguins, possibly due to the presence of people being a deterrent to skuas -- Antarctic birds that prey on penguin chicks and eggs.

Cuverville Island or Île de Cavelier de Cuverville is a dark, rocky island lying in Errera Channel between Arctowski Peninsula and the northern part of Rongé Island, off the west coast of Graham Land. Cuverville Island is located at 64°41′S, 62°38′W. Cuverville Island was discovered by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition (1897-1899) under Adrien de Gerlache, who named it for J.M.A. Cavelier de Cuverville (1834-1912), a vice admiral of the French Navy. In summer Cuverville is often home to a well-sized rookery of gentoo penguins.

Yankee Harbor (62°32′S, 59°47′W) is a small harbor entered between Glacier Bluff and Spit Point, indenting the southwest side of Greenwich Island in the South Shetland Islands. Yankee Harbor was known to both American sealers and the British as early as 1820, and this name is now established in international usage. Port Foster, the crater harbor of Deception Island, has at times also been referred to as Yankee Harbor.

Half Moon Island (South Shetland Islands) �" minor subantarctic island, lying about 120 kilometres north of the Antarctic Peninsula. Coordinates:  62°35′44, S°59′54.

Half Moon Island has a sizable rookery of chinstrap penguins as well as nesting Antarctic terns and kelp gulls. Whales are often seen patrolling the shores, and this small island offers stunning views of surrounding mountains.

Deception Island is an island in the South Shetland Islands off the Antarctic Peninsula which has one of the safest harbours in Antarctica. A recently active volcano, its eruptions in 1967 and 1969 caused serious damage to the scientific stations there. The only current research bases are run by the Argentine Army and Spain.

Geography

The island, located at [show location on an interactive map] 62°57′S, 60°36′W, is approximately circular with a diameter of about 12 km (7 mi). Its highest point, Mt Pond, has an elevation of 542 m (1778 ft), and over half the island is covered by glaciers. The centre of the island is a caldera formed in a huge eruption (VEI-6) which has been flooded by the sea to form a large bay named Port Foster, about 9 km (5.5 mi) long and 6 km (3.6 mi) wide. The bay has a narrow entrance, just 230 m (754 ft) wide, called Neptune's Bellows. Adding to the hazard is Ravn Rock, which lies 2.5 m (8 ft) below the water in the middle of the channel. Just inside Neptune's Bellows lies the cove Whalers' Bay, which is bordered by a large black sand beach.

Several maars line the inside rim of the caldera, with some containing crater lakes (including one named Crater Lake). Others form bays within the harbour, such as the 1 kilometre wide Whalers Bay.


History

Since the early 19th century Deception Island was a favourite refuge from the storms and icebergs of Antarctica. It was first used by sealers, then in 1906 a Norwegian-Chilean whaling company started using Whalers' Bay as a base for a factory ship, the Gobernador Bories. Other whaling operations followed suit, and by 1914 there were 13 factory ships based there.

The station did not actually process whale blubber, that being done on the ships, but instead took the carcasses and boiled them down to extract additional whale oil, using large iron boilers, and storing the results in iron tanks.
Deception Island

Entrance to Deception Island, Livingston Island in the background.
Elevation     576 metres (1,890 feet)
Location     Antarctica
Prominence     576 m
Coordinates     62°58′37.2″S, 60°39′0″W
Type     Caldera
Last eruption     1970

Whale oil prices dropped in the Great Depression, making the station uneconomic, and it was abandoned in 1931. Advances in factory ships made shore stations for carcass processing unnecessary, and so it was never reoccupied. 45 men were buried in the station's cemetery, but the cemetery was buried in a 1969 eruption, and the only remaining signs are the rusting boilers and tanks.

Other remains at Whalers' Bay include an aircraft hangar with a bright orange derelict airplane fuselage outside (removed in 2004), and the British scientific station house (Biscoe House), with the middle torn out by the mudflows in 1969.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Argentina contested control of Deception Island with the UK with some removals of the sovereign flag and temporary occupation of the island.

On February 3, 1944 the British established a permanent base on Deception Island as part of Operation Tabarin, and occupied it until December 5, 1967, when a volcanic eruption forced a temporary withdrawal. It was used again between December 4, 1968 and February 23, 1969, when further volcanic activity caused it to be abandoned.

In 1955 Chile inaugurated its station Pedro Aguirre Cerda at Pendulum Cove, to increase the Chilean presence in the sector claimed by that nation.

In 1961 Argentina's president Arturo Frondizi visited to show his country's interest.

In 1963 the American Coast Guard icebreaker Eastwind, WAGB 279, visited Deception Island. There were two scientific stations active, one British and one Chilean. The Chileans had an air strip and flew a DeHaviland Beaver back and forth to Punta Arenas for resupply. There were active fumaroles spewing noxious gasses and some fumaroles had churning volcanic ash in the depressions. The Eastwind ran aground inside the volcano which is likely the only time an American military ship ever ran aground inside an active volcano. The ship refloated with the rising tide.

In 1969 a violent volcanic eruption demolished the Chilean stations Pedro Aguirre Cerda and Gutierrez Vargas.

The volcano has mostly taken care of other attempts to maintain permanent facilities, and as of 2000, there were only two scientific stations still in use, both summer-only: Spain has Gabriel de Castilla[, and Argentina its Decepción station.

Ecology

Deception Island has become a popular tourist stop in Antarctica because it has several colonies of chinstrap penguins, as well as the novel possiblility of making a warm bath by digging into the sands of the beach. Baily Head on the west side of the island holds one of the world's largest chinstrap rookeries.

After the Norwegian Coastal Cruise Liner M/S Nordkapp ran aground off the coast of Deception Island on January 30th, 2007, fuel from the ship washed into a bay. Ecological damage has not yet been determined. On February 4 2007 the Spanish Gabriel de Castilla research station on Deception Island reported that water and sand tests were clean and that they had not found signs of the oil, estimated as 500-750 litres of light diesel.

Micro climates

Deception Island exhibits some wildly varying microclimates. Some water temperatures reach 70°C (158°F). Near volcanic areas, the air can be as hot as 40°C (103°F).

So remote, you always have fun! Especially, when bra's are donated at the bar for free Vodka:-)

Date: 16-02-07

Vernadsky to Petermann Island

Position             65˚07’8.S         063˚57’4.W drifting Girard bay

Weather:

Wonderful blue sky with great visibility

Wind:1-2                  

Temperature 5

We arrive at Peterman Island, named after the German cartographer Petermann. Blue-Eyed Shags Gentoo and Adélie Penguins breed here. It’s the northermost distribution of these Adélie Penguins

A cross memorises 3 young fellows who left the hut for Faraday station but never arrived. After a little hike we have a splendid view across the bay.

For the evening we explore a new bay where Europa has never been

Unfortunately where the anchor shown on the chart its more than 90 meters deep the only solution is drifting around which works perfectly the engines only have to be used once to move away from the coast

Rensje and Anna have prepared a wonderful Barbeque dinner Chris, Mike and Daan operate the grill.

Ice looks lighter than it is but with many hands we manage to get the frozen sculpture (about a third the size we had in mind) on board.

Date:19-02-07

Melchior to the Drake

20:00Position         63˚57’4.S         063˚23’W

Weather:

Wind:                W2-4

Temperature:     3

Melchior to Drake Passage.

At ten to six the sun is just up and a group of 14 people (some are impossible to wake up) with lifevest on are ready on deck for a sunrise cruise between the Melchior islands.
Within the crew the Melchior islands are known as the “Venice of Antarctica” because of the many narrow canals and islands. The waters here are quite shallow and disturbed by swell and current, so cruising here requires extra attention. The 2^nd ride have close encounter with a huge Humpback Whale.

When the last group comes back on board Rensje and Anna have prepared a nice lunch buffet on deck After lunch crew and guest crew make the ship ready for the crossing.

Deflating the zodiacs, seafasting, safety nets and life lines. Than we lift the anker.

Ahead of us a four to five days on one of the, or possible the roughest passage in the world, the “Screaming Sixties” and “Furious Fifties”. Anti-sea sickness pills are taken and prayers done. Antarctica slowly slides of the horizon.

The intercom shouts “Orcas!” whithin no time everybody is on deck to enjoy our last desert; a pod of Killer Whales is attacking a group of Humpback Whales! This is were we’ve all been waiting for. Some of the Orcas approach the ship closely. We can see the tall fin of the male and smaller fins from the females and young. The Humpback Whales are stressed and zig-zag trough the water. It can take hours for a pod of Killer Whales to exhaust the Whales. If they manage to separate the calf from it’s mother, it is done...

Later on we see a large blow. Possibly from a fin whale. Altogether we did see an amazing 48 Humpback Whales!

Than the show is over back to daily business watches are back on.

Date: 17-02-07

Girard bay to Portlockroy

Position                     64˚49’.S           063˚29’.W

Weather:

Wind: var 1                       

Temperature: 0 morning 2,6 afternoon

At midnight we celebrate 2 birthdays with popping champagne bottles

Today we cross Kodakgap again but now from South to North. Instaid of continuing North we take a little side raod to explore Hidden bay to celebrate Wiebkes 21^st and Ryann’s 30st birthday.

Gert enyoys the exploring and decides to check another unnamed bay for lunch on deck. The unnamed bay and a unnamed straight are known as Wiebke-bay and Ryann-straight from now on.

Dinner is early today, we start before 7 o’ clock. 2 guests from Port Lockroy join us.

After dinner Rick the base commander introduces us to Port lockroy with a talk about the history of the base. Rick served for the BAS (Brittish Antarctic Survey) as a dog slead driver, 30 years ago. In the nineties he helped to refurbish the station.

Than its time to hop in the zodiacs to Goudier Island to see it for our selves. The former British military base Port Lockroy is now a post-office, souvenir shop and Everybody rushes into the post office and shop to sent mail to their loved ones and  buy post cards and souvenirs. The building is surrounded by nesting Gentoo penguins, Sheathbills and Skua’s.

Behind the shed we find an extraordinary visitor. A second year old King penguin is moulting to its magnificent coloured plumage among the Gentoo’s, a rather awkward visit since they normally breed on the subantarctic. This youngster must have lost its way. It’s the first time ever recorded that a King Penguin visits this island. And for the whole continent there are only very, very, very few observations! For the tickers its the 6^th and last specie of penguin of this trip.

Back on board we warm our selves up with a glass of hot gluhwein of Tjallings grandma’s recipe.

The first 2 tables of the deckhouse  are screwed out the deck to make space for a little dance floor today we celebrate Ryann’s and Wiebkes birthdays till well after midnight people dance on Reinaldos tunes.

Date: 18-02-07

Port Lockroy to Melchior

20:00Position         64˚29’6.S         062˚52’.W underway to Melchior

Weather:

Wind: var 1-2                  

Temperature: 3

After breakfast we leave the ship to land at Jougla point in the bay of Port Lockroy one attractions is a reconstructed Whale skeleton of a big baleen whale. Jougla point is inhabitat by Weddell and many moulting Gentoos which offer entertainment by having their  first swimming lessons. A rather big colony of Blue-eyed Shags are nesting on the far end of the peninsula. After a stroll around the lower area we climb up on to the ridge for a great view over the bay. We can’t manage our hike to the other sight by divebombing skuas and terns which have their nest around in order not to disturb  we retreat to our original landing spot.

On the way home Michiel and Collin, the dinghy-drivers, take us for a closer look to the quite active glacier. with sound of heavy thunder forecasts big pieces fall off.

On the way to the Melchior Islands we spot another 7 Snow petrels and a whole group of Southern Fulmars. Most spectacular is the site of 13 Humpback Whales all around us. 3 of them we see up close. We can smell their awful breaths and make close up pictures from a few meters, as they dive under the ship.

Date: 16-02-07

Date: 15-02-07

Paradise to  Vernadsky

12:00        Position         64˚57’2.S         063˚36’1.W

17:15        Position         65˚14’8.S         064˚16’2.W

Weather:

Wind:        SW2                 

Temperature:     2

During the night Europa floated around freely in Paradise bay 3 times captain and mate fired up the engines to move to the center of the bay. In the morning we steam to the Lemaire channel. This spectacular narrow passage is about 11 kilometres long. On both sides of the channel glaciers plunge down from the vertical rock walls. This passage is renowned by sailors as one of the most superb marine channels in the world.

Underway we slow down for some spectacular icebergs. Also we see a mother and calf Humpback Whale. This spot must be full of food, because beside the Humpbacks, we see another 9 Antarctic Minke Whales.

The plan is to visit Wordie House before dinner and visit Vernadsky after dinner.

Even for a remote hut like Wordie House you need a key, and the Vernadsky crew were kind enough to let us have it for the afternoon. It’s a small zodiac ride to reach it.

Here you can briefly sense how it must have been for the British crew to winter here 40 years ago.

In the little channels on return from Wordie House Maarten discovers a huge ice cave. and make a turn around some of the crystal icebergs floating near the ship. One is home to three Crabeater Seals that are resting from their nocturnal feeding habits. We also find the southernmost occuring Gentoo penguin colony of Antarctica.

After a nice dinner Rensje prepared wonderful steaks we are of to Vernadsky.

The first zodiac sets out for Vernadsky, where we are welcomed at eight At their jetty, There are thirteen researchers working at the station where hole in the ozone layer was first discovered. At the moment the station also is home to a group of builders. Split up in groups we get a full show round trough the base. Than its up to the bar.

The Ukrainian dj has the dancefloor filled in no time, with a little help of homebrewed wodka. Within 20 minutes every body is dancing and drinking. Back on board there is a beer for everybody.

Back on board we continue with the most southern point party on deck

We welcome 5 visitors from the station including the base commander. The party continous on deck. The deck is decorated with coloured lights a hammock and Reinoud serves coctails at the bar. It is going to be a memorable night. Some people go to bed when it’s already light again.

Date: 14-02-07

Cuverville to Paradise

11:15 Position 64˚50’7.S 062˚31’88.W Floating a round in NekoHarbour

Weather: A calm day misty morning little snow in the afternoon                  

When we wake up the deckhouse is decorated with hearts and flower, its valentines day. Even the penguins seem to be a little nicer to each other.

In the morning we slowly steam to Neko harbour, breakfast is not even finished while a pod of humpbacks is spotted. When aproaching our destination we pass an ice berg loaded with Gentoo penguins. Suddenly the ship is surrounded by a pod of Minke whales. It’s a beatiful scene; an ice landscape covered in mist, full of floating icebergs. It is not possibele to see the difference between the sky and the water, so icebergs seem to float somewhere in between. Suddenly we see a group of 4 snow petrels flying around. Completely white animals with only a black eye, beak and legs.

A curious leopard seal watches us closely when we lower the zodiac and  dropping anchor and follows the zodiacs navigating between the icebergs to and from the shore.

Ashore we  have time to stroll along the beach packed with Gentoos. It is the first time we are at the continent itself! We also see a nest with two very young chicks. There is even a lonesome Adélie penguin, a specie we haven’t seen yet.

After a nice stroll watching some ice break of from the glacier close by.

Its lunch time but many people have a hard time leaving this beautiful spot.

Than we are underway to Paradise bay but halfway we are invited to visit Videla station a Chilean base. We have a look at the small museum and the quest for the white morph penguin doesn’t succeed. Its also hard to see with many covered in penguin guano.

Lots of ice floating by in strong current force us to go anchor up.

We stay a float with out anchor drifting around in Paradise bay.

After dinner we lower the boat for a moonlight cruise underway we encounter beautiful big red jelly fishes (Dipleumaris antarctica). Big pieces of ice the size of city busses break of with the sound of heavy thunder when we cruise past.