Its name is derived from William Robert Broughton, a British ship captain who charted many of the Kuril Islands during his voyages during the 18th century.

[1] It is located approximately 17 kilometres (11 miles) to the northwest of the twin islands of Chirpoy and Brat Chirpoyev.

The island has steep cliff sides, which can reach heights of 274 m (899 ft) and no sandy beaches, making landing very difficult and dangerous even in calm weather.

After World War II, the island came under the control of the Soviet Union, and is now administered as part of the Sakhalin Oblast of the Russian Federation.

[citation needed] In the spring and summer northern fulmar and fork-tailed storm petrel nest on the island.