Deception Island, located in the Southern Ocean around 65 miles from mainland Antarctica, is one of the only places on Earth where sailors can sail into an active volcano. The island is roughly 9 miles wide and was formed by a massive eruption 4,000 years ago.
A 2018 satellite photo shows the semi-submerged, active volcanic caldera partially covered in snow. This unique shape provides a haven for ships and researchers exploring the area around the South Pole. The horseshoe-shaped island is surrounded on every side by steep cliffs, but approaching it reveals a massive hidden lagoon.
The island’s name comes from its deceptive appearance – if you approach it, you’ll find a narrow opening in the caldera’s rim, known as “Neptune’s Bellows.” This passageway was discovered in 1820 and provides an excellent refuge for sailors to wait out massive storms. The island has hosted at least 20 small eruptions since the end of the 19th century.
Today, Port Foster is home to two permanent research stations run by Argentina and Spain, as well as between 50,000 and 100,000 breeding pairs of chinstrap penguins. Deception Island is also a popular tourist destination, visited by thousands every year who journey on cruise ships to enjoy volcanic springs along the island’s beaches.
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Source: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/antarctica/earth-from-space-antarcticas-deception-island-is-one-of-the-only-places-on-earth-where-you-can-sail-into-an-active-volcano