Gueishan Island
Encyclopedia
Guishan Island or Steep Island or Turtle Island , also known as Kueishan Island, is an island
in the Pacific Ocean
currently administered by Yilan County, Taiwan
and located 9.1 km (5.7 mi) east of port of Gengfang Fishery Harbor. The island is the top of an andesite
stratovolcano
which rises from the seafloor. It is the only active volcano in Taiwan, displaying active fumarole
s 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
.
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.
It is interesting that 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 Town such as Shicheng and Dasi, the shape is close to the head of a turtle
, while from Luodong Town and Wujie Country, 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).
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.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
currently administered by Yilan County, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and located 9.1 km (5.7 mi) east of port of Gengfang Fishery Harbor. The island is the top of an andesite
Andesite
Andesite is an extrusive igneous, volcanic rock, of intermediate composition, with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. In a general sense, it is the intermediate type between basalt and dacite. The mineral assemblage is typically dominated by plagioclase plus pyroxene and/or hornblende. Magnetite,...
stratovolcano
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...
which rises from the seafloor. It is the only active volcano in Taiwan, displaying active fumarole
Fumarole
A fumarole is an opening in a planet's crust, often in the neighborhood of volcanoes, which emits steam and gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrochloric acid, and hydrogen sulfide. The steam is created when superheated water turns to steam as its pressure drops when it emerges from...
s 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
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
.
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.
Head Turning of the Turtle Mountain
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
, while from Luodong Town and Wujie Country, 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
In 2000, the island was formally opened to tourists as a maritime ecological park. Before going to the island, visitor numbers have to be reviewed to see which day is available for registration. The online application (線上申請) for visiting this island is available in Chinese at here ). Key points for travelling to Gueishan Island are also available in English at http://www.necoast-nsa.gov.tw/main.php?id=73.The application must be completed and shipping agreed with local ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
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.