. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 139 tide level. They do not usually flood with seawater because each has a raised rim around its perimeter which, quite simply, acts as a dam to water and wave encroachment. That, together with a very high rainfall (Table 1) has been clearly sufficient to maintain persistent fresh water lenses within almost all islands. Table 1. Areas and physical characteristics of the 5 islanded atolls of Chagos. Rainfall data from Stoddart (1971). Atoll Latitude at centre Atoll area Km2 Land area (Ha) No. islands %rim enclo
. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 139 tide level. They do not usually flood with seawater because each has a raised rim around its perimeter which, quite simply, acts as a dam to water and wave encroachment. That, together with a very high rainfall (Table 1) has been clearly sufficient to maintain persistent fresh water lenses within almost all islands. Table 1. Areas and physical characteristics of the 5 islanded atolls of Chagos. Rainfall data from Stoddart (1971). Atoll Latitude at centre Atoll area Km2 Land area (Ha) No. islands %rim enclosed by islands %rim enclosed by islands and reef flats Max lagoon depth (m) Raised reef present Rainfall mm y"1 Peros Banhos 5° 20' 463 953 31 30 65 66 Yes 3 999 Salomon 5° 20' 38 263 11 50 85 30 No 3 751 Great Chagos Bank 6° 10' 18 000 437 8 >2 >5 88 Yes Egmont 6° 40' 48 401 3 30 95 17 No Diego Garcia 7 ° 20' 250 2734 5 95 97 32 No 2 599 Erosion is now very evident in many places around many of the islands, and while this has continued progressively for many years it appears to have been accelerating over the last 8 years (scientific visits recommenced in 1996 after a gap of 17 years). Around much of the northern tip of Diego Garcia the erosion is striking; substantial shore defence has been put in place to stop further attrition (Fig. 4).. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Smithsonian Institution. Press; National Research Council (U. S. ). Pacific Science Board; Smithsonian Institution; National Museum of Natural History (U. S. ); United States. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Washington, D. C. : [Smithsonian Press]
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