Deception Island

This article is about the island in Antarctica. For the island in Washington State, see Deception Pass. For the island in Chile, see List of islands of Chile § Deceit.

Deception Island

Satellite image of the island by Sentinel-2 (March 2023)
Location within South Shetland Islands Location within Antarctica
Geography
Location	Antarctica
Coordinates	62°57′30″S 60°38′30″W
Archipelago	South Shetland Islands
Area	79 km2 (31 sq mi)
Length	12 km (7.5 mi)
Width	12 km (7.5 mi)
Highest elevation	542 m (1778 ft)
Highest point	Mount Pond
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System
Demographics
Population	0
Surgidero Iquique Lighthouse
Construction	concrete (foundation), fiberglass (tower)
Height	4.5 m (15 ft)
Shape	cylinder
Markings	Stripe (white, orange, horizontal orientation)
Power source	solar power
Focal height	114 m (374 ft)
Range	5 nmi (9.3 km; 5.8 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 5s

Deception Island map with the topography and the location of the stations and protected zones

Deception Island is in the South Shetland Islands close to the Antarctic Peninsula with a large and usually "safe" natural harbour, which is occasionally affected by the underlying active volcano. This island is the caldera of an active volcano, which seriously damaged local scientific stations in 1967 and 1969. The island previously held a whaling station. It has now become a tourist destination, attracting over 15,000 visitors annually. Two research stations are operated by Argentina and Spain during the summer season. While various countries have asserted sovereignty, it is still administered under the Antarctic Treaty System, meaning it is under no control.