Geirfuglasker (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈceirˌfʏklaˌscɛːr̥] , lit. 'Great Auk Skerry'),[1] also known as Geirfugladrangur (lit. 'Great Auk Stack'),[2] or Freykja ([ˈfreiːca]),[citation needed] is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago.[1][2]
Native name: Geirfuglasker | |
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Other names |
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Geography | |
Location | Atlantic Ocean |
Coordinates | 63°19′N 20°30′W / 63.32°N 20.50°W |
Archipelago | Vestmannaeyjar |
Area | 19,034.84 m2 (204,889.3 sq ft) |
Coastline | 574.75 m (1885.66 ft) |
Administration | |
Constituency | Suðurkjördæmi |
Region | Suðurland |
Municipality | Vestmannaeyjar |
Capital and largest city | Reykjavík (pop. 123 246) |
President | Guðni Th. Jóhannesson |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 |
Pop. density | 0/km2 (0/sq mi) |
Additional information | |
Time zone |
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Geirfuglasker is located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) offIceland's southwestern coast.[1][2] The island hosted one of the last known colony of great auks, which thrived given its inaccessibility to humans. A volcanic eruption in 1830 forced the birds to move to Eldey, where the last pair was killed in 1844.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Geirfuglasker". Iceland Magazine. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "Powerful earthquake swarm off the coast of Reykjanes peninsula, SW of Reykjavík". Iceland Magazine. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2024.