After the eruptions, the bases were abruptly closed and abandoned, but humans are once again an occasional presence in this icy wilderness as Deception Island is now a popular stop on Antarctica expeditions. Hikers can see glimpses of the weathered remains of the old whaling station and research bases as they explore the isle’s caldera, black sand beach, jagged rocks and glaciers.

The Norwegian whaling station is now designated as a historic site under the Antarctic Treaty. There’s the uncanny remains of a graveyard too, where whalers lay buried.

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