Île de Croÿ (Croy Island) is an unpopulated island that is part of an archipelago known as the Kerguelen Islands, situated approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) north-west of the main island. It is located at 48°38'19.3"S 68°37'18.6"E, and is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
History Île de Croÿ was discovered in 1776 by Captain James Cook as part of his nautical expedition through the southern hemisphere. It is the largest of five islands in a small group Cook named the 'Cloudy Isles', now known as Iles Nuageuses.
Geography and Geology Île de Croÿ, at its highest peak, rises 518 meters (1,699 feet) above sea level. The island stretches 5.61 kilometers (3.49 miles) long between its furthermost points, and covers an area of approximately 16 square kilometers (6.2 square miles).The majority of the archipelago is the result of volcanic activity, as indicated by its high concentration of flood basalt and trachytic ignimbrite. The composition and burial depth of the ignimbrite indicates that the last major volcanic eruption in the area occurred between 23,000 and 29,000 years ago, near the end of the Pleistocene.
Climate The temperature in Île de Croÿ is usually cold, with a temperature averaging 9.0 degrees celsius (48.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer months, and an extremely varying but generally below freezing in winter months. It is classified as a tundra environment due to its low temperature and significant precipitation.
Flora and Fauna
Living on the island are penguins, albatrosses, and seals. No introduced species are present. +List of animal species present on the islandCommon nameScientific nameIUCN Red List statusIUCN Red List citationAntarctic fur sealArctocephalus gazellaLeast ConcernAntarctic prionPachyptila desolataLeast ConcernBlack-browed albatrossThalassarche melanophrisLeast ConcernBlack-faced sheathbillChionis minorLeast ConcernCommon diving petrelPelecanoides urinatrixLeast ConcernEaton's pintailAnas eatoniVunerableGentoo penguinPygoscelis papuaLeast ConcernGrey-headed albatrossThalassarche chrysostomaEndangeredKerguelen petrelAphrodroma brevirostrisLeast ConcernKerguelen ternSterna virgataNear ThreatenedLight-mantled albatrossPhoebetria palpebrataNear ThreatenedNorthern giant petrelMacronectes halliLeast ConcernSnowy albatrossDiomedea exulansVunerableSouthern rockhopper penguinEudyptes chrysocomeVunerableWhite-chinned petrelProcellaria aequinoctialisVunerableWilson's storm petrelOceanites oceanicusLeast Concern
References