Deception island is deceiving! If you look for it on Google Earth it will resemble a donut….but, there is a small bite taken out of one side! Millions of years ago it was a large and active volcanic cone, that created an island. Some time later another eruption blew out a chunk of the cone on one side, and the center or caldera of the volcano filled with sea water. The caldera is about a mile in diameter, and sometimes the water in various places is warmed by steam.
In 1969 a steam vent along the side walls erupted causing a mud and ash flow that covered a small cemetery there, and destroyed some the structures of an old whaling village. Remnants of the tanks for storage of whale oil are still there, and the place looks like it has been frozen in time.
We first stopped along its outside edge to see a penguin colony for several hours, and then we moved around to the entrance to the caldera, through an opening called Neptune's Bellows. About half way through the caldera we encountered ice that got thicker and more widespread until at last we stopped. Crew members got out and checked the ice for its stability, and soon we were all frolicking down the gang plank and enjoying the ice and snow there. Some people took photos, others played soccer, while still others enjoyed hot chocolate provided by the ship's restaurant. After awhile we got back into the ship and it moved to the other side of the caldera where the water along shore was suppose to be warm. Several brave men and women (me included) got down to our swim suits and went into the water and it was not warm all!! It was in fact nearly 32 degrees, and so I stayed in a very short time, and quickly went for a large warm towel that was nearby. Nearby Adelle Penguins looked puzzled with wonder at the sight of it all. The Adelles have white circles around their eyes that distinguish them from the Chinstraps and Gentoos. We got dressed, and back aboard the ship with bragging rights that could proclaim we had experienced a swim in the waters of Antarctica. Here are a few photos that captured some of these events.
