Bogoslof Island
Encyclopedia
Bogoslof Island or Agasagook Island is the summit of a largely submarine stratovolcano
located in the Bering Sea
in the U.S. state
of Alaska
, 31 miles (49.9 km) behind the main Aleutian volcanic arc. It has a land area of 173 acre (0.70010678 km²) and is unpopulated. The peak elevation of the island is 490 feet (149.4 m). It last erupted in 1992.
The first known emergence of the island above sea level was recorded during an underwater eruption in 1796. Since then, parts of the island have been successively added and eroded.
In 1909 President
Theodore Roosevelt
designated Bogoslof and neighboring Fire Island
a sanctuary for sea lion
s and nesting marine birds. Together, as the Bogoslof Wilderness
, they are now part of the Aleutian Islands unit of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
. In November 1967, the island was designated a National Natural Landmark
by the National Park Service
. The islands were added to the National Wilderness Preservation System
in 1970.
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
located in the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, 31 miles (49.9 km) behind the main Aleutian volcanic arc. It has a land area of 173 acre (0.70010678 km²) and is unpopulated. The peak elevation of the island is 490 feet (149.4 m). It last erupted in 1992.
The first known emergence of the island above sea level was recorded during an underwater eruption in 1796. Since then, parts of the island have been successively added and eroded.
In 1909 President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
designated Bogoslof and neighboring Fire Island
Fire Island (Aleutian Islands)
Fire Island is located in the eastern Aleutian Islands at . It emerged in 1883, forming a companion island to Bogoslof Island. Originally, this Fire Island was named New Bogoslof ....
a sanctuary for sea lion
Sea Lion
Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear-flaps, long fore-flippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short thick hair. Together with the fur seal, they comprise the family Otariidae, or eared seals. There are six extant and one extinct species in five genera...
s and nesting marine birds. Together, as the Bogoslof Wilderness
Bogoslof Wilderness
Bogoslof Wilderness is a wilderness area in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located within the Aleutian Islands unit of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, it is in area and was designated by the United States Congress in 1970. It encompasses the entirety of Bogoslof Island and nearby Fire...
, they are now part of the Aleutian Islands unit of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge comprising 2,400 islands, headlands, rocks, islets, spires and reefs in Alaska, with a total area of , of which is wilderness)...
. In November 1967, the island was designated a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. The islands were added to the National Wilderness Preservation System
National Wilderness Preservation System
The National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States protects federally managed land areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. It was established by the Wilderness Act upon the signature of President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964...
in 1970.
See also
- Bogoslof WildernessBogoslof WildernessBogoslof Wilderness is a wilderness area in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located within the Aleutian Islands unit of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, it is in area and was designated by the United States Congress in 1970. It encompasses the entirety of Bogoslof Island and nearby Fire...
- List of National Natural Landmarks
- List of volcanoes in the United States of America
External links
- Volcanoes of the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands-Selected Photographs
- Bogoslof Island: Block 1069, Census Tract 1, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska United States Census Bureau