Persson Island (PERS)
64˚13’S, 58˚24’W Magnetic declination: 12.6˚E Inventory subarea: NE Inventory acronym: PERS Site Sensitivity: LOW Location — History — Features A 1.5 mile long island in the entrance to Röhss Bay on the SW side of James Ross Island. Discovered by Nordenskjøld’s Swedish Antarctic Expedition, 1901-04, and named for Nils Persson, one of the patrons of the expedition. Landing Characteristics Rocky landing beach. Much frost heaving in the rocks, some fossils observed, and evidence of previous volcanic activity. Until recently, the SW end of James Ross Island and Persson Island were covered by the Larsen Ice Shelf. Antarctic Site Inventory Effort Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003: 1. January 12, 2002 RP WT Endeavour Assessment and monitoring . Only preliminary censusing and ground photodocumentation has been accomplished. Fauna — Flora — Censuses Penguins & flying birds . No evidence of any breeding activity. Seals . None observed. Flora . Moss, spp. in meltwater channels. Usnea , spp., Mastodia , spp., Caloplaca , spp., and Xanthoria , spp. observed. Conservation Aspects Site sensitivities . None noted. Visitation Aspects Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:
Proximate visitor sites . On James Ross Island: Rum Cove, Cape Obelisk, Brandy Bay, Cape Gage, Cape Lachman, Comb Ridge, Gin Cove, and Holluschickie Bay. |
