Adelie key

Adelie Key is a rocky island in the South Shetland Islands, off the coast of Antarctica in the Southern ocean. discovered in 1819 by British mariner William Smith, the island has become a location of interest among ornithologists for the many unique colonies of Adelie penguins. Its position in the Drake Passage also makes it of interest to meteorologists studying the Antarctic Circumpolar current. The island is home to one research station, maintained by a research institute in Seattle and manned by 1-4 staff throughout the year.

Geography

The western half of the island is dominated by Mount Celeste, the highest point on the island, while the eastern half consists of relatively flat, rocky terrain that supports adelie penguin colonies as well as several species of moss. The two halves of the island are connected by a narrow peninsula, which forms the southern extent of Michael Bay on the north side of the island. This bay has been used to supply the island since construction on the station began in 2004. The station opened in 2006, and has been continuously occupied by at least one researcher ever since. When the bay is inaccessible due to pack ice, a small landing strip is instead used to supply the station.

Ecology

Like the rest of the South Shetland Islands, Adelie Key's ecology is classified as a type of polar tundra. Adelie key in particular is known for its colonies of Adelie Penguins, which have sustained scientific interest for having the densest recorded breeding colony. In recent years, it has also been home to an increasing population of Antarctic Pearlwort, the only vascular plant on the island.