Guamblin Island

Guamblin Island
Native name: Isla Guamblin
Guamblin Island
Geography
Coordinates 44°51′S 75°05′W / 44.85°S 75.08°W / -44.85; -75.08Coordinates: 44°51′S 75°05′W / 44.85°S 75.08°W / -44.85; -75.08
Adjacent bodies of water Pacific ocean
Length 16 km (9.9 mi)N-S
Width 8 km (5 mi)W-E
Administration
Region Aisén
Additional information
NGA UFI=-883679

Guamblin Island, also known as Socorro Island, Nuestra Señora del Socorro or Huamblin, is a Chilean island. It is part of the Chonos Archipelago, although it is some 25 km distant from the other islands of the archipelago, far out in the Pacific Ocean.

The island is a National Park, and listed as an Important Bird Area. It is a breeding ground of the sooty shearwater.[1]

Oil spill

In June 1973, the Liberian oil tanker Napier ran aground on the island and sparked an oil spill releasing 30,000 tons of oil. After the rescue of the crew, Napier was fired upon and set ablaze by Chilean Hawker Hunters with the purpose of burning the oil to avoid further pollution.[2]

See also

References

  1. BirdLife International: site fact sheet
  2. SIGWEB Sistemas integrados de Gestión, Carlos Saldivia, Las desconocidas historias de los tres derrames de petróleo en Chile, retrieved on 18 September 2013


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