Guishan Island (Yilan)

Guishan Island
Highest point
Elevation 398 m (1,306 ft)
Prominence 398 m (1,306 ft)
Coordinates 24°50′31″N 121°57′06″E / 24.84194°N 121.95167°E / 24.84194; 121.95167Coordinates: 24°50′31″N 121°57′06″E / 24.84194°N 121.95167°E / 24.84194; 121.95167 
Geography
Guishan Island
East China Sea, off the NE coast of Yilan, Taiwan
Geology
Age of rock Pleistocene
Mountain type Stratovolcano
Last eruption 1785 ± 10 years

Guishan Island or Steep Island or Turtle Island (Chinese: 龜山島; Hanyu Pinyin: Guīshāndǎo; Tongyong Pinyin: Gueishandǎo; Wade–Giles: Kuei1-shan1-tao3; literally: "Turtle Mountain Island"), also known as Kueishan Island, is an island in the Pacific Ocean currently administered under Toucheng Township, Yilan County, Taiwan and located 9.1 km (5.7 mi) east of port of Gengfang Fishery Harbor.

History

The local population, consisting mainly of fishermen, was relocated in 1977 due to the hardships associated with living on the island. Between 1977 and 2000 it became the site of a military base, and currently it is managed as a tourist destination and natural conservation area. There are restrictions for visitors due to environmental protection. In 2000, the island was officially opened to tourists as a maritime ecological park.[1] In December 2016 until February 2017, the island was closed for environmental protection reasons.

Geology

The island is the top of an andesite stratovolcano which rises from the seafloor. It is the only active volcano in Taiwan, displaying active fumaroles and solfataras. It has an area of 2.841 square kilometres (1.097 sq mi), and the highest point reaches 401 m (1,316 ft) above sea level.[2]

Ecology

Endemic species of crab, Xenograpsus testudinatus feeds on sulfur lives around underwater hot springs of the island. Surrounding waters support rich ecosystem that attracts the top predators of ocean; cetaceans. This allows whale watching as one of major attractions in local tourism, targeting mostly smaller toothed whales such as pygmy sperm whales, false killer whales, and dolphins while larger whales such as sperm and humpback may be observed less frequently. [3][4]

Head Turning of the Turtle Mountain

From different views at different locations of Yilan County, the shape of Guishan Island is quite different. Also the shape of the turtle's head is different; from Northeast Coastal Areas of Toucheng Township such as Shicheng and Dasi, the shape is close to the head of a turtle, while from Luodong and Wujie Townships, the shape is triangular. The reason for this is the curvy shape of the seashore of Yilan, circling the very island. There is hence the term "Head Turning of the Turtle Mountain" (龜山轉頭).

Visiting the island

Before going to the island, visitor numbers have to be reviewed to see which day is available for registration.

The application must be completed and shipping agreed with local ferry owners at least one week prior to the visiting date, there is also another application form for going to the highest point of the island, which is often restricted.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Premier inspects scenic Gueishan Island". Focus Taiwan News Channel. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  2. ↑ Shen, Worthy; Huang, Romulo (28 February 2017). "Turtle Island to be reopened to tourists Wednesday". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  3. ↑ Apple Daily (Taiwan). 2015. 龜山島「鯨」奇　船長：第一次看到那麼大的. Retrieved on October 06, 2017
  4. ↑ ba ha. 2014. 2014.12.24 龜山島船釣 ~ 遇到鯨魚. YouTube. Retrieved on October 06, 2017
  • "Kueishantao". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.


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