Saunders Island, South Sandwich Islands

Saunders Island is an uninhabited volcanic island in the South Sandwich Islands in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It forms part of the remote South Sandwich island chain and is notable for its volcanic topography.

The island’s most striking geological feature is its central volcano, which contains an active crater hosting a persistent lava lake observed in recent decades via satellite and aerial surveys. The volcanic activity makes the island of interest to volcanologists.

There is no permanent human habitation and the island is visited only by scientific expeditions and occasional cruises under strict biosecurity controls. The island’s ecology is typical subantarctic, with seabird colonies and restricted vegetation on coastal areas.

Saunders Island lies in the southern Atlantic, southeast of South Georgia, and is administered as part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Its remote location places it far from inhabited land.

• Access and status: Uninhabited and administered as part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; access is by expedition vessel and is restricted by remote weather and sea conditions.

What to See #

• Mount Michael (active crater): A prominent feature is the island's central stratovolcano, which hosts an active crater with a persistent lava lake that has been observed by satellite and aerial studies.