Sarichef Island

Sarichef
Native name:
Qigiqtaq
Elevation map
Sarichef is located in Alaska
Sarichef
Sarichef
Geography
LocationNome Census Area, Alaska
Coordinates66°14′41″N 166°6′25″W / 66.24472°N 166.10694°W / 66.24472; -166.10694
Length7 km (4.3 mi)
Highest elevation6 m (20 ft)
Administration
Demographics
Population591[1] (2006)

Sarichef Island (InupiaqQigiqtaq or Kigiqtaq) is a long and narrow coastal island on the Chukchi Sea-facing coast of Alaska. It is located at the mouth of the Shishmaref Inlet, Kotzebue-Kobuk Low. It is located hundred miles east of Russia, which can be seen on clear days. The highest point on the island is the 6-meter cemetery in Shishmaref. The island is rapidly disappearing due to the sea level rise associated with global warming.[2]

Sarichef Island is 7 km (4.3 mi) in length. The highest point on the island is 6 m (19.7 ft) above sea level.

Shishmaref town and Shishmaref Airport are located on this island.

This island was named in 1816 by explorer Lt. Otto von Kotzebue, of the Imperial Russian Navy, "in the honor of his worthy" Vice Admiral Gavril Sarychev (1763–1831).

  1. ^ Masters, Jeffrey. "Book Review: Field Notes From A Catastrophe: Weather Underground". Weather Underground. Director of Meteorology. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  2. ^ Røiri, Vibeke; Kjølleberg, Even (9 October 2017). "Øya som blir borte (The island that's disappearing)". NRK (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2021-07-25.