Little Sitkin Island

Little Sitkin Island is a volcanic island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. It is an uninhabited, rugged island formed by volcanic activity and dominated by a central volcanic cone.

The island’s topography is volcanic with steep slopes and cratered features typical of Aleutian volcanism; it supports seabird colonies and sparse arctic vegetation due to its remoteness. There is no permanent settlement and human activity is limited to occasional scientific, monitoring or specialist visits.

Little Sitkin has recorded volcanic activity in the past and is part of the Aleutian volcanic arc, a chain produced by subduction-related volcanism along the North Pacific. Its geology and eruption history place it among the active and dormant volcanic features of the region.

The island sits in the western Aleutian chain of Alaska, in the North Pacific Ocean, far from the Alaskan mainland and accessed only by sea or air under suitable conditions.

• Access and population: No permanent population and access is by private boat or aircraft; the island is remote and visited mainly for scientific or specialised trips.