It is separated from Pourquoi Pas Island by The Narrows and from the west coast of Graham Land by Jones Channel.

[1][2] The feature was partially surveyed in 1936 by the British Graham Land Expedition under Rymill, at which time it was charted as a promontory.

It was mapped by FIDS from surveys and air photos in 1948–59, and named for the very prominent scree or talus slopes along the southern shore of the cove.

Mount Kershaw sits on the northeast end of the island, above Kosiba Wall and the former Jones Ice Shelf.

The refuge, on 19 May 1995, it was collectively designated as Historic Site or Monument (HSM 63) under the Antarctic Treaty System along with the relatively nearby Base Y, Horseshoe Island.