Where are the Heard and McDonald Islands located?

The Heard and McDonald Islands are remote subantarctic volcanic features located in the Southern Ocean, halfway between Australia and South Africa. They are approximately 1700 km from the Antarctic continent and 4000 km southwest of mainland Australia (Australian Government 2016 ). Heard Island is 43 km long and 21 km wide.

How big is Heard Island & McDonald Islands?

The group's overall land area is 372 km 2 (144 sq mi) and it has 101.9 km (63 mi) of coastline. Discovered in the mid-19th century, the islands lie on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Indian Ocean and have been an Australian territory since 1947. Heard Island and McDonald Islands contain Australia's only two active volcanoes.

What is the history of Heard Island and McDonald Island?

General map of Heard Island and McDonald Islands. Periodic Australian research expeditions have been made to Heard Island since the Australian ANARE station was closed in 1955, and occasional visits have also been made by other nations. There are only two brief recorded landings at McDonald Island, in 1971 and 1980.

Is Heard Island a subantarctic island?

The fauna of the freshwater pools, lakes, streams and mires found in the coastal areas of Heard Island are broadly similar to those on other subantarctic islands of the southern Indian Ocean. Many species reported from Heard Island are found elsewhere.

Where are the McDonald Islands located?

The much smaller and rocky McDonald Islands are located 44 kilometres (27 mi) to the west of Heard Island. They consist of McDonald Island (186 m or 610 ft high), Flat Island (55 m or 180 ft high) and Meyer Rock (170 m or 560 ft high).

Who discovered the McDonald Islands?

He reported the discovery one month later and had the island named after him. [ 11 ] His wife Fidelia Heard provided the first written description and drawings of the island. [ 12 ][ 13 ] William McDonald aboard the Samarang discovered the nearby McDonald Islands six weeks later, on 4 January 1854.