Okino-tori-shima JA or When is a Reef an Island? (Repost)
Okino-tori-shima - GE Image
Okino-tori-shima - Map
Okino-tori Shima (20˚25'N., 136˚05'E.) is located about 375 miles SW of Minami-Io Shima. It was formerly known as Parece Vela or Douglas Reef. This coral reef extends about 2.8 miles in an E to W direction, is about 0.8 mile wide, and encloses a reef-encumbered lagoon. A number of small islets and above-water coral heads, 1 to 3m high, lie on the reef. Two small towers stand near the W extremity of the reef. It is a Japanese possession.
Caution.—A below-water reef, with estimated depths from 2 to 3m, has been reported to extend about 3 miles NW from the W part of Okino-tori Shima. Numerous tide rips were observed in the vicinity.
Breakers extend 0.5 mile off the E and W ends of Okino-tori Shima. It has been reported that breaking seas have been observed about 1 mile N of the W extremity of Okino-tori Shima, but were not observed in 1997.
Okino-tori Shima and the reported reefs should be given a wide berth, as there has been no recent survey. Boat passages have been reported on the SE and NE sides of the reef, but they have not been examined.
A large platform, about 20m high and supported by six rows of supporting pillars oriented approximately E and W, stands close E of the small towers. This platform, which appears abandoned, was reported (1997) visible on radar at a distance of 20 miles.
Another off-lying danger was reported in 1971. It appeared to be a coral-like shoal breaking in position 20˚18'N, 135˚28'E, bearing 259˚, 36 miles from Okino-tori Shima. In 1988, it was reported that a vessel transiting the area failed to see this danger. Vessels are urged to exercise caution when navigating within the vicinity. (SD Pub-158)
Proposed 200-NM Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Wikipedia has an excellent article about this reef that claims to be an island. Why would Japan spend in excess of $600 million on this little reef? Because they needed it to have land above water. So they built up the three small reefs awash areas and transformed them into circular islands with strong rock reenforced shorelines. They basically fashioned three artificial islands to bolster their claim that this "island" allows them to claim an additional 200-NM EEZ around the island. As the Wikipedia article states the area has a potential for oil, among other resources.
Oh, the tangled web countries weave to bolster their claims for land. So goes the way of nations.
Enjoy!
Labels: atoll, Digital Globe, EVS, Google Earth, island, Japan, Pacific, reef
