Gough and Inaccessible Islands
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
---|---|
Location | Tristan da Cunha |
Coordinates | 37°S 13°W / 37°S 13°W |
Includes |
Gough Island Inaccessible Island |
Criteria | Natural: (vii), (x) [1] |
Reference | 740 |
Inscription | 1995 (19th Session) |
Extensions | 2004 |
Endangered | – |
Location of Gough and Inaccessible Islands | |
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°W)
The islands are uninhabited apart from the personnel of a weather station. They are Important Bird Areas and Alliance for Zero Extinction sites.[2]
The spectacled petrel is believed to nest only on Inaccessible Island.[3]
History
Gough Island was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1995.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6]
Gallery
- View of cliffs.
- View of cliffs.
- View of cliffs.
References
- ↑ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740.
- ↑ 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.