EVS-Islands

Atiu Island (20˚02'S., 158˚07'W.) lies about 21 miles WSW of Mitiaro. The island is thickly wooded and rises to a height of 120m near the center. The coast is encircled with a coral cliff. A bold, rocky cliff about 91m high, intersected by sandy bays, forms the N side of the island. The fringing reef surrounding the island extends no more than 0.5 mile from the coast; depths of 220m are found 0.2 mile seaward of the reef, and there are no apparent off-lying dangers. With an E wind, a current sets strongly onto the island's N side. There are a number of landings on the island, but local knowledge is necessary for all. The island's center is so thickly settled that the separate villages can be regarded as one. Taunganui, on the W coast, is the residence of the Resident Agent. The landing here cannot be used in NW winds and a S swell. A lighter harbor contained within a concrete jetty lies on the island's W side. This harbor requires local knowledge and is available to small craft less than 9m in length. The harbor is reportedly hazardous to enter. There is an aviation runway at the N extremity of the island.

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What do you think of the clouds? From a mapper's perspective, they obscure everything that is beneath them. So I used a series of dark green EVS Shoreline Obscured line. These lines makeup the possible shoreline beneath the clouds. The extensive cloud cover over the central part of the island obscures any sign of villages. Most of the Landsat images are relatively cloud free. The day will come when all images are cloud free. Until that day, you just have to deal with it. Make your maps the best way you can. By the way, the map is incomplete. I have not included the EVS Reef Awash (Sea). I will update this weekend.