EVS-Islands

Howland Island (0˚48'N., 176˚38'W.), about 38 miles NNW of Baker Island, is a low, flat island devoid of vegetation other than a few stunted trees. It is ringed by a relatively flat coral reef almost completely exposed at LW extending out to about 0.1 mile, except on the W side where the reef averages about 73m in width. Outside of this reef is a coral shelf extending about 0.3 to 0.5 mile on the N, E, and S sides, and about 0.1 mile on the W side. The depths on this shelf vary between 5.5 to 21.9m. A broad, sandy, and in some places, gravelly beach slopes upward at a slight angle on the W side of the island. On the windward, or E side, there is practically no beach and the island rises abruptly from the reef to an average height of 3.7m, with the highest point about 5.5m in the N part. Amelia Earhart Daybeacon is situated near the center of the W side of the island. Winds—Weather.—Winds from the E predominate throughout the year. From December to May, the prevailing winds are sometimes interrupted by W winds and bad weather. Regulations.—Howland Island is a National Wildlife Refuge under administrative responsibility of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge extends outward to the 3-mile limit. Entry into the refuge without a permit is prohibited except in an emergency. Permits must be obtained from the Refuge Manager, Hawaiian/Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, P.O. Box 50167, Honolulu, HI 96850. Anchorage.—A vessel anchored (1966) 0.4 mile from the N end of the island in 22.8m, with the E tangent of the island bearing 144˚, the W tangent bearing 185˚, and the daybeacon bearing 167.5˚. A vessel anchored (1967) about 0.3 mile NNE of the N end of the island in 11.9m, with the E tangent of the island bearing 153˚, the W tangent bearing 213˚, and the daybeacon bearing 176˚, distance 1 mile.

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This project was completed in about 1-hour. The island is fairly simple in composition. The reef system is fairly simple as well. A simple composition of an island with an interesting history. Supposedly this is one of the possible crash landing sites of Amelia Earhart. But now it's claim to fame is as a National Wildlife Refuge.

Posted by Mr Minton on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 4/25/2006 10:00:00 PM | Permalink