Heard Island and McDonald Islands Intelligence Report
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Introduction
Background
The island known as Heard Island was first encountered by American sailor John HEARD in 1853, while the McDonald Islands were subsequently discovered by fellow American William MCDONALD in the subsequent year, 1854. From 1855 onwards, sealers inhabited these islands, extracting oil from elephant seals; this practice resulted in the decimation of the seal population by the time it ceased in 1877. The United Kingdom officially claimed the islands in 1910, and in 1929, the Australian explorer Douglas MAWSON made an expedition to Heard Island. In 1947, the UK ceded the islands to Australia to assist with its Antarctic investigations, although Australia shuttered the research facility on Heard Island in 1954 when it inaugurated a new research station on the Antarctic mainland. McDonald Island has been classified as an active volcano since it reawakened in 1992, and it experienced a significant increase in size due to an eruption in 1996. The islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Rich in biodiversity, these islands host numerous bird species, seals, and penguins, serving primarily as research sites, with restricted fishing allowed in the adjacent waters.
Geography
Area
land
412 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
412 sq km
Climate
antarctic
Terrain
Heard Island, characterized by its 80% ice coverage, presents a rugged and mountainous landscape, featuring a prominent massif known as Big Ben along with an active volcano named Mawson Peak; the McDonald Islands are small and rocky formations.
Land use
other
100% (2018 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2011 est.)
Location
These islands are situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately two-thirds of the distance from Madagascar to Antarctica.
Coastline
101.9 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m
Map references
Antarctic Region
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
Mawson Peak, which is an active volcano, is located on Heard Island.
Geography - note
Mawson Peak on Heard Island holds the title of the tallest mountain in Australia, reaching 2,745 m (9,006 ft); it surpasses Mt. Kosciuszko found on the Australian mainland, and it is one of only two active volcanoes within Australian territory; in 1992, McDonald Island, the other active volcano, reawakened from its dormant state and commenced eruptive activity, having erupted multiple times since then.
Natural resources
fish
Area - comparative
It is slightly more than twice the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
53 06 S, 72 31 E
People & Society
Population
total
uninhabited
Environment
Climate
antarctic
Land use
other
100% (2018 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2011 est.)
Government
Flag
Australia's flag is utilized
Country name
etymology
named in honor of US Captain John HEARD, who first observed the island on 25 November 1853, and US Captain William McDONALD, who found the islands on 4 January 1854
abbreviation
HIMI
conventional long form
Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Legal system
the regulations of Australia are applicable
Dependency status
territory of Australia; governed from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment (Australian Antarctic Division)
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (natural); note - derived from the Australia entry
selected World Heritage Site locales
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (territory of Australia)
Economy
Communications
Internet country code
.hm
Transportation
Heliports
2 (2025)
Military & Security
Military - note
The obligation of defense lies with Australia
