Ayon

Ayon – (former Sabadey, derived from the Chukchi word “ayo” meaning “human brain”) (1) one of the biggest islands in the East Siberian Sea situated at the entrance to Chaunskaya Bay, Chukotka Autonomous District, Russia. In the west it is separated from the Kyttyk Peninsula by the Maly Chaunsky Strait, in the east – by the Sredniy Proliv (Sredniy Strait). The area is circa 2,000 km²; the altitude up to 65 m. The surface is slightly hilly, formed by loose stratum including minerals and ice. The island is dominated by Arctic tundra. The shores are not high, occasionally steep, and largely surrounded by foreshore. Consolidated pack ice can be observed throughout the year. A homonymous settlement and a polar station are situated on the island. Since 1983 the northwestern part of Ayon has been home to a natural landmark “Ayonskiy” (13 ha) established to protect the areas of relict tundra and steppe vegetation and endemic flora species. A Norwegian Arctic explorer H. Sverdrup found here the...