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[[Image:Nauru satellite.jpg|thumb|An aerial image of Nauru in 2002. Anabare Bay is on the east side. Buada Lagoon is the darker region in the south west.<ref name = "climate">Republic of Nauru. 1999. [http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/naunc1.pdf Climate Change Response Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] URL Accessed 2006-05-03</ref>]] |
[[Image:Nauru satellite.jpg|thumb|An aerial image of Nauru in 2002. Anabare Bay is on the east side. Buada Lagoon is the darker region in the south west.<ref name = "climate">Republic of Nauru. 1999. [http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/naunc1.pdf Climate Change Response Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] URL Accessed 2006-05-03</ref>]] |
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[[Nauru]] is positioned in the [[Nauru Basin]] of the [[Pacific Ocean]], on a part of the [[Pacific Plate]] that formed at a [[mid oceanic ridge]] at 132 [[mega-annum|Ma]].<ref name="Maharaj">{{cite web|url=http://www.sopac.int/data/virlib/MR/MR0506.pdf|title=Evaluation of Impacts of Harbour Engineering Anibare Bay, Republic ofNauru|last=Maharaj|first=Russell J.|date=May 2003|work=SOPAC Miscellaneous Report 506|publisher=South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission|page=5|accessdate=4 December 2011}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> From mid [[Eocene]] (35 Ma) to [[Oligocene]] times a [[submarine volcano]] built up over a [[Hotspot (geology)|hotspot]], and formed a [[seamount]] composed of [[basalt]].<ref name="Maharaj"/> The seamount rises over 4300 m above the ocean floor. This hotspot developed simultaneously with a major Pacific Plate reorganisation.<ref name="Maharaj"/> |
[[Nauru]] is positioned in the [[Nauru Basin]] of the [[Pacific Ocean]], on a part of the [[Pacific Plate]] that formed at a [[mid oceanic ridge]] at 132 [[mega-annum|Ma]].<ref name="Maharaj">{{cite web|url=http://www.sopac.int/data/virlib/MR/MR0506.pdf|title=Evaluation of Impacts of Harbour Engineering Anibare Bay, Republic ofNauru|last=Maharaj|first=Russell J.|date=May 2003|work=SOPAC Miscellaneous Report 506|publisher=South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission|page=5|accessdate=4 December 2011}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> From mid [[Eocene]] (35 Ma) to [[Oligocene]] times a [[submarine volcano]] built up over a [[Hotspot (geology)|hotspot]], and formed a [[seamount]] composed of [[basalt]].<ref name="Maharaj"/> The seamount rises over 4300 m above the ocean floor. This hotspot developed simultaneously with a major Pacific Plate reorganisation.<ref name="Maharaj"/> |
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The volcano was eroded to sealevel and a [[coral]] [[atoll]] grew on top to a thickness of about 500 m.<ref name="desert">{{cite web|url=http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/nauru-eng.pdf |title=First National Report To the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Republic of Nauru |last=Department of Economic Development and Environment |date=April 2003 |page=7 |accessdate=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/ |
The volcano was eroded to sealevel and a [[coral]] [[atoll]] grew on top to a thickness of about 500 m.<ref name="desert">{{cite web|url=http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/nauru-eng.pdf |title=First National Report To the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Republic of Nauru |last=Department of Economic Development and Environment |date=April 2003 |page=7 |accessdate=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605000635/http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/nauru-eng.pdf |archivedate=June 5, 2007 }}</ref> Coral near the surface has been dated from 5 to 0.3 Ma.<ref name="desert"/> The original limestone has been [[dolomitised]] by [[magnesium]] from [[sea water]]. The coral was raised above sea level about 30 m, and is now a dolomite limestone outcrop which was eroded in classic [[karst]] style into [[Pinnacle (geology)|pinnacle]]s up to 20 m high.<ref name="desert"/> To at least a depth of 55 m below sea level, the limestone has been dissolved forming cavities, sinkholes and caves.<ref name="desert"/> |
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The island was a [[seabird]] [[rookery]] and depressions on the surface of the island were filled by a [[phosphate]] rich [[guano]] layer up to several metres thick.<ref>{{cite book|last=Viviani|first=N.|title=Nauru: Phosphate and Political Progress|year=1970|publisher=Australian National University Press|location=Canberra.}}</ref> |
The island was a [[seabird]] [[rookery]] and depressions on the surface of the island were filled by a [[phosphate]] rich [[guano]] layer up to several metres thick.<ref>{{cite book|last=Viviani|first=N.|title=Nauru: Phosphate and Political Progress|year=1970|publisher=Australian National University Press|location=Canberra.}}</ref> |
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[[Anibare Bay]] was formed by the underwater collapse of the east side of the volcano. The collapse formed an amphitheatre shape with the arc shaped block rotating outwards at its base from about 900 to 1100 m below sea level. Below 1100 m the slip bulges out down to 2000 m deep.<ref name="Maharaj"/> In [[Ijuw District]] to the north of the bay there are [[lineament]]s trending inland to the north west.<ref name="Maharaj"/> [[Buada Lagoon]] was formed by solution of the limestone when the sea level was lower, followed by collapse.<ref name="Nugent">{{cite journal|last=Nugent Jr.|first=L. E.|year=1948|title=Emerged Phosphate Islands in Micronesia|journal=Bulletin of the Geological Society of America|volume=59|issue=10|pages=977–994|doi=10.1130/0016-7606(1948)59[977:EPIIM]2.0.CO;2|url=http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/59/10/977.abstract}}</ref> |
[[Anibare Bay]] was formed by the underwater collapse of the east side of the volcano. The collapse formed an amphitheatre shape with the arc shaped block rotating outwards at its base from about 900 to 1100 m below sea level. Below 1100 m the slip bulges out down to 2000 m deep.<ref name="Maharaj"/> In [[Ijuw District]] to the north of the bay there are [[lineament]]s trending inland to the north west.<ref name="Maharaj"/> [[Buada Lagoon]] was formed by solution of the limestone when the sea level was lower, followed by collapse.<ref name="Nugent">{{cite journal|last=Nugent Jr.|first=L. E.|year=1948|title=Emerged Phosphate Islands in Micronesia|journal=Bulletin of the Geological Society of America|volume=59|issue=10|pages=977–994|doi=10.1130/0016-7606(1948)59[977:EPIIM]2.0.CO;2|bibcode=1948GSAB...59..977N|url=http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/59/10/977.abstract}}</ref> |
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Nauru is moving at 104 mm per year to the north west along with the underlying Pacific Plate.<ref name="Maharaj"/> |
Nauru is moving at 104 mm per year to the north west along with the underlying Pacific Plate.<ref name="Maharaj"/> |
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Streams and rivers don't exist in Nauru. Water is gathered from roof catchment systems. Water is brought to Nauru as ballast on ships returning for loads of [[phosphate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Yaren|title=Yaren {{!}} district, Nauru|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref> |
Streams and rivers don't exist in Nauru. Water is gathered from roof catchment systems. Water is brought to Nauru as ballast on ships returning for loads of [[phosphate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Yaren|title=Yaren {{!}} district, Nauru|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref> |
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Fresh water can be found in Buada Lagoon, and also in some brackish ponds at the escarpment base in [[Ijuw District|Ijuw]] and [[Anabar District|Anabar]] in the northeast.<ref name="wet">{{cite web|url=http://www.wetlands.org/RSIS/WKBASE/OceaniaDir/Nauru.htm |title=Nauru |work=A Directory of Wetlands in Oceania |accessdate=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805001528/http://www.wetlands.org/RSIS/WKBASE/OceaniaDir/Nauru.htm |archivedate=5 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dev.sopac.org.fj/VirLib/JC0192.pdf |title=Integrated Water Management in Pacific Island Countries |accessdate=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426020501/http://dev.sopac.org.fj/VirLib/JC0192.pdf |archivedate=26 April 2012 }}</ref> There is an underground lake called [[Moqua Well]] in [[Moqua Caves]] in the southeast of the island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sprep.org/att/irc/ecopies/countries/nauru/41.pdf|title=Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change - Nauru|accessdate=4 December 2011|page=7|year=2009}}</ref> |
Fresh water can be found in Buada Lagoon, and also in some brackish ponds at the escarpment base in [[Ijuw District|Ijuw]] and [[Anabar District|Anabar]] in the northeast.<ref name="wet">{{cite web|url=http://www.wetlands.org/RSIS/WKBASE/OceaniaDir/Nauru.htm |title=Nauru |work=A Directory of Wetlands in Oceania |accessdate=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805001528/http://www.wetlands.org/RSIS/WKBASE/OceaniaDir/Nauru.htm |archivedate=5 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dev.sopac.org.fj/VirLib/JC0192.pdf |title=Integrated Water Management in Pacific Island Countries |accessdate=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426020501/http://dev.sopac.org.fj/VirLib/JC0192.pdf |archivedate=26 April 2012 }}</ref> There is an underground lake called [[Moqua Well]] in [[Moqua Caves]] in the southeast of the island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sprep.org/att/irc/ecopies/countries/nauru/41.pdf|title=Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change - Nauru|accessdate=4 December 2011|page=7|year=2009|archive-date=23 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723160529/http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/Nauru/41.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Nauru topics}} |
{{Nauru topics}} |
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[[Category:Geography of Nauru |
[[Category:Geography of Nauru]] |
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[[Category:Geology by country|Nauru]] |
[[Category:Geology by country|Nauru]] |
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[[Category:Geology of Oceania|Nauru]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:47, 14 July 2024
Nauru is positioned in the Nauru Basin of the Pacific Ocean, on a part of the Pacific Plate that formed at a mid oceanic ridge at 132 Ma.[2] From mid Eocene (35 Ma) to Oligocene times a submarine volcano built up over a hotspot, and formed a seamount composed of basalt.[2] The seamount rises over 4300 m above the ocean floor. This hotspot developed simultaneously with a major Pacific Plate reorganisation.[2]
The volcano was eroded to sealevel and a coral atoll grew on top to a thickness of about 500 m.[3] Coral near the surface has been dated from 5 to 0.3 Ma.[3] The original limestone has been dolomitised by magnesium from sea water. The coral was raised above sea level about 30 m, and is now a dolomite limestone outcrop which was eroded in classic karst style into pinnacles up to 20 m high.[3] To at least a depth of 55 m below sea level, the limestone has been dissolved forming cavities, sinkholes and caves.[3]
The island was a seabird rookery and depressions on the surface of the island were filled by a phosphate rich guano layer up to several metres thick.[4]
Anibare Bay was formed by the underwater collapse of the east side of the volcano. The collapse formed an amphitheatre shape with the arc shaped block rotating outwards at its base from about 900 to 1100 m below sea level. Below 1100 m the slip bulges out down to 2000 m deep.[2] In Ijuw District to the north of the bay there are lineaments trending inland to the north west.[2] Buada Lagoon was formed by solution of the limestone when the sea level was lower, followed by collapse.[5]
Nauru is moving at 104 mm per year to the north west along with the underlying Pacific Plate.[2]
Streams and rivers don't exist in Nauru. Water is gathered from roof catchment systems. Water is brought to Nauru as ballast on ships returning for loads of phosphate.[6]
Fresh water can be found in Buada Lagoon, and also in some brackish ponds at the escarpment base in Ijuw and Anabar in the northeast.[7][8] There is an underground lake called Moqua Well in Moqua Caves in the southeast of the island.[9]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Republic of Nauru. 1999. Climate Change Response Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change URL Accessed 2006-05-03
- ^ a b c d e f Maharaj, Russell J. (May 2003). "Evaluation of Impacts of Harbour Engineering Anibare Bay, Republic ofNauru" (PDF). SOPAC Miscellaneous Report 506. South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. p. 5. Retrieved 4 December 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Department of Economic Development and Environment (April 2003). "First National Report To the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Republic of Nauru" (PDF). p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 5, 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- ^ Viviani, N. (1970). Nauru: Phosphate and Political Progress. Canberra.: Australian National University Press.
- ^ Nugent Jr., L. E. (1948). "Emerged Phosphate Islands in Micronesia". Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. 59 (10): 977–994. Bibcode:1948GSAB...59..977N. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1948)59[977:EPIIM]2.0.CO;2.
- ^ "Yaren | district, Nauru". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ "Nauru". A Directory of Wetlands in Oceania. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- ^ "Integrated Water Management in Pacific Island Countries" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- ^ "Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change - Nauru" (PDF). 2009. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
