Rum Cove, James Ross Island (RUMC)
64˚06’S, 58˚25’W Magnetic declination: 12.5˚E Inventory subarea: NE Inventory acronym: RUMC Site Sensitivity: LOW Location — History — Features A cove indenting the NW coast of James Ross Island between Tumbledown Cliffs and Cape Obelisk. Named in 1983 to associate with other sites along this coast named for alcoholic spirits. Landing Characteristics This site was first visited in 1996-97, as the Larsen Ice Shelf on the SW side of James Ross Island to such an extent, that the island could be circumnavigated. Lichens appeared to be the only living organisms on site. Uncharted waters and drifting ice offshore required the expedition ship to drift, and required long zodiac rides to reach the shore. Antarctic Site Inventory Effort Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003: 1. February 23, 1997 RN Explorer Assessment and monitoring. Only preliminary censusing and ground photodocumentation has been accomplished. Fauna — Flora — Censuses Penguins & flying birds . Skuas, spp. observed, but no nests observed. Seals . None observed. Flora . Crustose lichens, spp. noted. 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: Cape Obelisk, Brandy Bay, Cape Gage, Cape Lachman, Comb Ridge, Gin Cove, and Holluschickie Bay; and Persson Island. |
