Rockall

Rockall is a small, uninhabited rocky islet in the North Atlantic, lying on the Rockall Bank, a submarine plateau in the northeastern Atlantic. The islet rises only a few tens of metres above sea level and is subjected to strong winds, high waves, and harsh maritime conditions. Its surface is barren, with little if any vegetation, and there are no permanent inhabitants or facilities.

Geographically, Rockall forms part of a larger maritime area that has attracted attention for its surrounding seabed and resources. The islet itself is a weathered outcrop of hard rock, and it marks a geographical feature in a region characterized by deep waters and complex currents. The nearby Rockall Bank and the surrounding continental shelf have been of interest for fisheries, geological research, and potential hydrocarbon resources.

Sovereignty over Rockall has been a source of international dispute. The United Kingdom asserts sovereignty over the islet and the adjacent seabed and airspace, seeking to include a surrounding exclusive economic zone under its control. Ireland and Iceland have made competing claims to the same waters and resources. The legal status of Rockall remains unresolved in international law, with the matter governed by principles of UNCLOS and bilateral diplomacy, rather than a definitive, universally accepted judgment.

Ecology and usage: The islet’s physical environment yields little habitat value for long-term settlement, but the surrounding waters are important for marine life and commercial fishing. Rockall is primarily of interest to navigational authorities, researchers, and energy and fisheries stakeholders due to its location and the resources believed to lie offshore.