Deception Island
The National Geographic Endeavour made its way through Neptune’s Bellows early this morning and into the spectacular sunken caldera of Deception Island and the sheltered Whalers Bay. First occupied in 1911 by Norwegian whalers and later by the British Royal Navy, it was finally abandoned in 1969 because of a volcanic eruption that destroyed most of the buildings.
After breakfast, we boarded the Zodiacs and went ashore to explore. A walk to the crater rim and Neptune’s window rewarded us with views out into the Bransfield Strait as cape petrels danced all around. Others were content composing pictures while walking among the rusting boilers and weathered buildings that are scattered among the black volcanic rock.
In the afternoon we moved further north inside of the active volcano to Telefon Bay, where we walked up to take a look at a smaller crater that was formed during the most recent eruption in 1970. Another quick repositioning of the ship led us to Pendulum Cove and a chance for some to take a “swim” in Antarctica. After dip in the 35 degree water, the brave souls were rewarded with a wallow in the more tolerable thermally warmed water that lies along the shore in front of a Chilean Base which was also destroyed in the 1970 eruption. Rod Ledingham also gave a presentation with video he shot during the eruption that featured the smoldering crater and oozing mud.
The day wasn’t finished yet! We gathered on the decks after dinner and filled another memory card of photos as we made our way through the ice choked and strikingly beautiful Lindblad Cove dusted with a fresh coating of snow and bathed in the soft evening light. It is safe to say, we made the most of what was the longest day of the year.
The National Geographic Endeavour made its way through Neptune’s Bellows early this morning and into the spectacular sunken caldera of Deception Island and the sheltered Whalers Bay. First occupied in 1911 by Norwegian whalers and later by the British Royal Navy, it was finally abandoned in 1969 because of a volcanic eruption that destroyed most of the buildings.
After breakfast, we boarded the Zodiacs and went ashore to explore. A walk to the crater rim and Neptune’s window rewarded us with views out into the Bransfield Strait as cape petrels danced all around. Others were content composing pictures while walking among the rusting boilers and weathered buildings that are scattered among the black volcanic rock.
In the afternoon we moved further north inside of the active volcano to Telefon Bay, where we walked up to take a look at a smaller crater that was formed during the most recent eruption in 1970. Another quick repositioning of the ship led us to Pendulum Cove and a chance for some to take a “swim” in Antarctica. After dip in the 35 degree water, the brave souls were rewarded with a wallow in the more tolerable thermally warmed water that lies along the shore in front of a Chilean Base which was also destroyed in the 1970 eruption. Rod Ledingham also gave a presentation with video he shot during the eruption that featured the smoldering crater and oozing mud.
The day wasn’t finished yet! We gathered on the decks after dinner and filled another memory card of photos as we made our way through the ice choked and strikingly beautiful Lindblad Cove dusted with a fresh coating of snow and bathed in the soft evening light. It is safe to say, we made the most of what was the longest day of the year.
