The island was discovered by a German expedition of 1873-74, who named it after geographer August Petermann. The French Antarctic Expedition of 1908-10 wintered over aboard ship in a cove on the southeast side of the island, named Port Circumcision because it was spotted 1 January1909, the traditional day for the Feast of the Circumcision.
PetermannIsland is a 1km-long island rising up to approximately 150 metres above sea level.
There was (and is) food and water in the hut to last for at least fifty days, and the three scientists took up residence, while remaining in radio contact with their base, a mere 6 miles away, but impassible by ship or on foot due to poor ice conditions.
Petermann is the home to a study being conducted by the group Oceanities.