It is the summer home to NASA's complementary scientific program, the Haughton–Mars Project. The Haughton crater is now considered one of the world's best Mars analog sites. April 2007 through 21 August 2007 was the longest simulation period and included 20 scientific studies. In July 2004, Devon Island became the temporary home for five scientists and two journalists, who were to use the Mars-like environment to simulate living and working on that planet. The Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station project entered its third season in 2004. The Devon Island Research Station was established in 1960 and it is maintained by the Arctic Institute of North America. Scientific research Devon Island Research Station The impact left a crater about 23 km (14 mi) in diameter, which was a lake for several million years. ĭevon Island is also notable for the presence of the Haughton impact crater, created some 39 million years ago when a meteorite about 2 km (1.2 mi) in diameter crashed into what were then forests. Cape Vera, another IBA site, is also noted for its northern fulmar population. With a polar desert ecology, Devon Island receives very little precipitation.Ĭape Liddon is an Important Bird Area (IBA) notable for its black guillemot and northern fulmar populations.

Temperatures during the brief (40 to 55 days) growing season seldom exceed 10 ☌ (50 ☏), and in winter can plunge to as low as −50 ☌ (−58 ☏). Animal life is concentrated in the Truelove Lowland area of the island, which has a favourable microclimate and supports relatively lush Arctic vegetation.

Satellite photo montage of Devon Island and its neighboursĭevon Island is located between Ellesmere Island in the north, Cornwallis Island in the west, and Baffin Island in the south, separated by Lancaster Sound.īecause of its relatively high elevation and its extreme northern latitude, Devon Island supports only a meagre population of muskox and small birds and mammals the island does support hypolith communities.

Devon's Island by Si Clarke