Mable Island

Mable Island

Mabel Island is a 40 square kilometer island in Franz Josef Land. The island was named by Benjamin Leigh Smith in honor of his niece, Amable Ludlow. Cape Konrad, named after the Russian sailor Alexander Konrad, one of the only two survivors of the Brusilov Expedition, is the southernmost point of Mabel Island. Geographically, Mabel Island is characterized by a rugged terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice caps covering approximately 75% of its surface. The island's landscape is further defined by its many fjords, bays, and inlets, which provide a habitat for a diverse range of Arctic wildlife. The island's harsh, subarctic climate is marked by long, cold winters and short, cool summers, with average temperatures ranging from -12°C to 6°C. Despite its remote location, Mabel Island has played an important role in the exploration and scientific study of the Arctic region. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the island was visited by several notable expeditions, including those led by British explorers Benjamin Leigh Smith and Frederick George Jackson. Today, Mabel Island is part of the Russian Arctic National Park, which was established in 2019 to protect the region's unique and fragile ecosystem. The park's conservation efforts focus on preserving the island's natural habitats, including its glaciers, tundras, and marine ecosystems, as well as protecting the region's diverse wildlife, including Polar Bears, walruses, and Arctic Foxes. Scientific research continues to play an important role on Mabel Island, with Russian and international researchers conducting studies on the island's geology, glaciology, and biology.