Gough and Inaccessible Islands

UNESCO World Heritage Site
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
Inscription history
Inscription 1995 (19th Session)
Extensions 2004
Gough Island
Inaccessible Island
Location of Gough Island and Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic Ocean
Designated 20 November 2008

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 / -40.32; -9.94) and Inaccessible Island. (37°18′S 12°41′W / 37.30°S 12.68°W / -37.30; -12.68Coordinates: 37°18′S 12°41′W / 37.30°S 12.68°W / -37.30; -12.68)

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

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2015). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Gough Island. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 01/02/2015
  2. ↑ BirdLife International (2015). Species factsheet: Procellaria conspicillata. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/01/2015.
  3. ↑ "UNESCO Committee Decision 19COM VIII.A.1", 1995, retrieved 12 February 2014
  4. ↑ "UNESCO Committee Decision 28COM 14B.17", 2004, retrieved 12 February 2014
  5. ↑ "Mid-Atlantic Ridge". Retrieved 19 January 2015.
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