Zavadovski Island

Zavadovski Island

Zavodovski Island is a volcanic, uninhabited island located in the Traversay Islands subgroup of the South Sandwich Islands, which lie southeast of South Georgia. With an area of approximately 25 square kilometers, Zavodovski Island is one of the smaller islands in the South Sandwich archipelago, yet it boasts a dramatic landscape of rugged coastlines, steep cliffs, and snow-capped peaks. Geologically, Zavodovski Island is a stratovolcano, characterized by its conical shape and steep slopes. The island's volcanic activity is thought to have begun during the Pleistocene epoch, with eruptions occurring as recently as the 20th century. Today, the island remains volcanically active, with ongoing seismic activity and periodic steam venting. Despite its inhospitable climate Zavodovski Island is home to a diverse range of wildlife. The island has the world's largest population of breeding penguins. Approximately 600,000 to 1,000,000 Chinstrap Penguins breed on Zavodovski, representing about a quarter of the world's population of this species and likely one of the world's largest bird colonies. The colony is large enough to be responsible for a significant amount of ammonia emissions in the region. Among the other penguin species breeding on Zavodovski are over 50,000 Macaroni Penguins, which build small colonies within Chinstrap Penguin colonies, and Gentoo Penguins. King Penguins also frequent the island and may even breed there. Antarctic Fulmars, Antarctic Terns, Black-bellied Storm Petrels, Blue-eyed Shags, Cape Petrels, Kelp Gulls, Snow Petrels, Southern Giant Petrels and Wilson's Storm Petrels are other seabirds that breed on the island.