Devon Island Latest News
NASA uses Devon Island to study Mars, primarily because it’s barren and its freezing, polar desert conditions allow researchers to test next-generation rovers.
About Devon Island
- It is located in the Canadian arctic archipelago, within the zone classified as the High Arctic.
- It is the world’s largest uninhabited island.
- Ellesmere Island lies to the north of Devon Island and Baffin Bay lies to its east.
- Although completely devoid of human settlements, a few species reside on the island.
- The short growing season of only about 40 to 55 days and the low temperatures (2° to 8°C in summer) discourage the growth of plants here.
- Winters are extremely harsh with temperatures being as low as −50 °C.
- The limited solar energy input is also one of the factors influencing the existence of life on this island.
- Little precipitation is also received on Devon Island.
- The “out-of-the-world-like” landscape here is cold, dry, and rocky. Snow and ice blanket the island’s ice cap for the entire year.
- Astronauts preparing for Mars missions do pay occasional visits to Devon Island to get used to extraterrestrial conditions.
- NASA uses Devon Island to study Mars, primarily because it’s barren, and its freezing, polar desert conditions allow researchers to test next-generation rovers.
- It is home to a 14-mile-wide Haughton Crater. It was formed when a meteorite struck millions of years ago, leaving behind terrain that resembles the surface of Mars.
Source: TOI
Last updated on March, 2026
→ UPSC Final Result 2025 is now out.
→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.
→ Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.
→ UPSC Marksheet 2025 is now out.
→ UPSC Notification 2026 & UPSC IFoS Notification 2026 is now out on the official website at upsconline.nic.in.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released.
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis.
→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.
→ Shakti Dubey secures AIR 1 in UPSC CSE Exam 2024.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India
Devon Island FAQs
Q1. Where is Devon Island located?+
Q2. What is Devon Island known for globally?+
Q3. Why do astronauts sometimes visit Devon Island?+
Q4. Which large crater is located on Devon Island?+
Tags: devon island prelims pointers upsc current affairs upsc prelims current affairs






