Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
Lagoon - There was a very shallow lagoon in the center of the island (Bryan 1941 and 1942;
see also Hydrographer of the Navy 1969; Maude 1937). Dahl (1980) reported that the lagoon
on McKean was closed. Bryan (1934) reported that the dry lagoon was a source of guano.
Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that the lagoon was salty that varied in size. Timeon (2001)
noted that there were no fish in the lagoon. Sometimes the lagoon was dry. Lagoon size also
varied with tide, despite not having an opening to the sea. The lagoon includes areas where
guano was dug. Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that the basin within the rim of land had been
increased in depth due to guano digging (1859 to 1870) (see also Garnett 1983a).
Maude (1937) reported that the lagoon water was almost pure salt water. The lagoon
contained deposits of gypsum and guano.
Reef Shelf - The reef area was about 1,372 by 1,143 m (1,500 by 1,250 yards) (Hydrographic
Office 1940). Bryan (1941 and 1942) reported that the fringe reef was 91 to 183 m (100 to
200 yards) wide, with the inner 27 m (30 yards) or so drying during low tide.
Soil - There was no information on the soils on McKean (Garnett 1983). They were probably
mainly coral sand and rubble with little humus.
NIKUMARORO (GARDNER)
Dimensions - Nikumaroro (Gardner) is 6.0 km (3.75 miles) long (north northwest by south
southeast) and about 1.6 km (1 mile) wide at the widest (Bryan 1941 and 1942). The rim was
less than 0.4 km (¼ mile) wide, except at the two furthest ends.
The land was about 3.7 m (12 ft) above sea level (Hydrographic Office 1940).
A satellite image of Nikumaroro is provided in Figure III-1.8 below.
Figure III-1.8. Nikumaroro:
A - Satellite image (source: http://oceandots.com/pacific/rawaki/nikumaroro.htm);
B – Chart (source: U.S. Government Chart of 1943).
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