[1] The island consists of two overlapping stratovolcano, collectively called Pik Ekarma (Russian: влк.Экарма; Japanese 越渇磨岳; Ekaruma-dake), rising to 1,170 m (3,839 ft) above sea level.

The last eruption of the volcano was in May 1980, during which ash emissions reaching a height of one kilometer were observed from a fishing vessel.

Ekarma was visited by hunting and fishing parties of Ainu, but with no sources of fresh water aside from rainfall, was never permanently settled.

The island appears on an official map in 1644, showing the feudal territory of the Matsumae Domain in Edo period Japan.

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.