Gough and Inaccessible Islands
| Gough and Inaccessible Islands | |
|---|---|
| Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List | |
|
Map of the islands, | |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, x |
| Reference | 740 |
| UNESCO region |
Europe and North America |
| Designated | 20 November 2008 |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1995 (19th Session) |
| Extensions | 2004 |
Gough and Inaccessible Islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the archipelago of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean. It consists of Gough Island (40°19′S 9°56′W / 40.32°S 9.94°W) and Inaccessible Island. (37°18′S 12°41′W / 37.30°S 12.68°WCoordinates: 37°18′S 12°41′W / 37.30°S 12.68°W)
The islands are uninhabited apart from the personnel of a weather station. They are Important Bird Areas and Alliance for Zero Extinction sites.[1]
The Spectacled Petrel is believed to nest only on Inaccessible Island.[2]
History
Gough Island was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1995.[3] In 2004 the site was extended. The marine zone of Gough Island was extended from 3 to 12 miles and Inaccessible Island was included with the surrounding marine zone extending out to 12 miles. The site was renamed Gough and Inaccessible Islands.[4]
The selection criteria for the site do not include its geomorphic interest. However, there has been ongoing discussion of including Gough and Inaccessible Islands in a possible "serial trans-boundary nomination" for the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which would include other volcanic sites in the Atlantic.[5]
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2015). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Gough Island. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 01/02/2015
- ↑ BirdLife International (2015). Species factsheet: Procellaria conspicillata. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/01/2015.
- ↑ "UNESCO Committee Decision 19COM VIII.A.1", 1995, retrieved 12 February 2014
- ↑ "UNESCO Committee Decision 28COM 14B.17", 2004, retrieved 12 February 2014
- ↑ "Mid-Atlantic Ridge". Retrieved 19 January 2015.