The island is barren and conical in shape with sheer cliffs rising to heights of 30–45 m (98–148 ft).

The island is often enveloped in dense fog due to cold bottom water upwelling to the surface.

[7] The fleet would usually reach the area by late May or early June,[8] spending a few weeks cruising for whales before sailing to the south and west, following the retreating ice.

[16][17] In the spring and summer, a number of seabirds nest on the island, including northern fulmar, several species of auklet (whiskered, least, and crested), horned and tufted puffin, common and thick-billed murre, Leach's and fork-tailed storm petrel, kittiwake, gulls, and cormorants.

[18] The island, along with its surrounding waters, has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because of its significant seabird colonies.