South Sandwich Islands

South Sandwich Islands 56° 18' S to 59° 28' S, 26° 14' W to 28 ° 11' W

• 8 volcanic islands (most active) discovered Cook in 1775 and Bellingshausen in 1819
• Chains spans 386 km on the eastern edge of the Scotia Ridge
• Enclosed in pack ice during winter months
• Sparse vegetation - lichens, algae, mosses with the grass Deschampsia antarctica in sheltered locations