Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
Water Characteristics - In 2002, seawater temperature loggers were deployed at Abariringa
(Kanton) (3 sites); Orona (2 sites); Nikumaroro (2 sites); Manra (1 site); Enderbury (1 site);
Rawaki (Phoenix) (1 site) (Obura and Stone 2003).
MCKEAN
Current - The current is strong past the northern and southern points and converge on the
west side of the island (Hydrographic Office 1940; Hydrographer of the Navy 1969).
Offshore current velocity is about 0.9 km per hour (0.5 knots).
Water Characteristics - In 2000, McKean water temperature was slightly cooler than that of
Nikumaroro (Stone et al 2001). This suggested up-welling and mixing of deeper water on
McKean.
NIKUMARORO (GARDNER)
Current - The current is westerly (Hydrographic Office 1940). Inshore, the current follows
the land to the west. Near the western reef, the current is northward (Hydrographer of the
Navy 1969).
Tides - Tidal fluctuation was 1.4 m (4.5 ft) (Hydrographic Office 1916).
Water Characteristics - In 2002, seawater temperature loggers were deployed at Abariringa
(Kanton) (3 sites); Orona (2 sites); Nikumaroro (2 sites); Manra (1 site); Enderbury (1 site);
Rawaki (Phoenix) (1 site) (Obura and Stone 2003).
The minimum water temperature recorded was 26.7 0 C at Nikumaroro (Obura and Stone
2003).
ORONA (HULL)
Current - Inshore currents have a velocity of 1.9 km per hour (1 knot) and run westward
(Hydrographic Office 1940; see also Hydrographer of the Navy 1969). Offshore, currents
run westward at about 0.9 km per hour (0.5 knots).
Water Characteristics - In 2002, seawater temperature loggers were deployed at Abariringa
(Kanton) (3 sites); Orona (2 sites); Nikumaroro (2 sites); Manra (1 site); Enderbury (1 site);
Rawaki (Phoenix) (1 site) (Obura and Stone 2003).
RAWAKI (PHOENIX)
The current was strong on the northern and southern points of the island (Hydrographic
Office 1940). Offshore, the current was about 0.9 km per hour (0.5 knots). A 3.7 km per
hour (2 knot) west current has been observed (Hydrographer of the Navy 1969) setting
westward past the island (Hydrographic Office 1916).
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