Magnetic Island (Alaska)

Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island
Geography
Location Tuxnedi Bay, Cook Inlet
Coordinates 60°14′41″N 152°50′52″W / 60.24472°N 152.84778°W / 60.24472; -152.84778Coordinates: 60°14′41″N 152°50′52″W / 60.24472°N 152.84778°W / 60.24472; -152.84778
Highest elevation 152 m (499 ft)
Administration
State Alaska
Borough Kenai Peninsula Borough

Magnetic Island is a small island on the north side of Tuxnedi Bay, an inlet on the lower west side of Cook Inlet in south-central Alaska. The island is surrounded by mudflats that are under water during high tides. The island got its name from the presence of magnetism (believed due to magnetite) identified during a geological survey in 1951. Its shape and geology are heavily influenced by Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna, two active volcanoes located less than 20 miles (32 km) away. The island is most notable for its archaeological significance, which includes a prehistoric human habitation site which has been dated to c. 1800-1400 BCE. The sites consists of a series of depressions, which when excavated in 2012, yielded several layers of cultural materials, included fire-cracked stones and hearths, and stone tools stylistically associated with the Arctic Small Tool tradition. The site was probably abandoned due to volcanic activity.[1]

The archaeological site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rogers, Jason; et al. (2013). "The Arctic Small Tool Tradition on Cook Inlet: The Magnetic Island Site, Tuxnedi Bay, Alaska". Alaska Journal of Anthropology (Volume 11): 119–138.
  2. ↑ National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
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