What is this island or reef 600 km east of Marianas Islands?

Unveiling the Enigma: Islands and Reefs East of the Marianas Islands

Okay, so you’re curious about what’s out there, roughly 600 km east of the Mariana Islands? It’s a fair question! The truth is, pinpointing a specific island at that exact distance is tricky. Mostly, what you’ll find are submerged features. But hey, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to talk about. Let’s dive in and explore this fascinating corner of the Pacific.

The Underwater Landscape

Imagine this: instead of a tropical paradise popping out of the ocean, you’ve got an underwater mountain, a seamount, lurking beneath the waves. About 600 km east of the Marianas, that’s pretty much what we’re dealing with. This particular seamount, according to the Seamount Catalog, doesn’t even have a name! It gets pretty close to the surface, though, with a minimum depth of around -42 meters. There’s also Vlinder Guyot, another seamount a bit closer, about 224 km to the east. So, while there’s no “island” per se, there’s definitely something going on down there.

Island Hopping in the Vicinity

Now, if we broaden our scope a bit, the area around the Marianas is dotted with fascinating islands and reefs. Think of them as distant neighbors. We’re talking about places like Howland Island and Baker Island, both U.S. territories, and Enderbury Island and Nikumaroro, which belong to Kiribati. These spots might not be right next door, but they’re part of the same Pacific neighborhood and each has its own unique story.

Howland Island: Picture a tiny speck of land, way out in the middle of nowhere, about 3,100 km southwest of Honolulu. That’s Howland Island. It’s a U.S. territory, completely uninhabited, and a National Wildlife Refuge. I always think of it as a place stuck in time. It’s a low-lying coral island, sandy, with not much going on in terms of vegetation, and zero fresh water. But here’s the kicker: it’s famous for being the place where Amelia Earhart was headed when she disappeared. Pretty eerie, right?

Baker Island: Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Howland, you’ll find Baker Island. Same deal: uninhabited, U.S. territory, National Wildlife Refuge. It’s got that equatorial climate, sparse vegetation, and no fresh water vibe. But it’s a haven for seabirds and marine life. Makes you wonder what it would be like to be stranded there!

Enderbury Island: Zooming over to Kiribati, there’s Enderbury Island, a small atoll about 63 km from Kanton Island. It’s flat, bare, with low shrubs and a small lagoon. What’s cool about Enderbury? It’s a nesting paradise for green sea turtles and a hotspot for seabirds. Plus, it’s part of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, which is the largest marine protected area on the planet. Talk about a protected paradise!

Nikumaroro: Last but not least, there’s Nikumaroro, also known as Gardner Island, another gem in the Phoenix Islands of Kiribati. This place is a bit more lush, with plenty of vegetation and a lagoon in the middle. And guess what? It’s another island linked to the Amelia Earhart mystery! Some theories suggest her plane might have crashed here. Spooky!

The Mariana Islands: A Quick Refresher

Just to put things in perspective, the Mariana Islands themselves are a chain of volcanic islands in the western Pacific. They’re shaped like a crescent and include places like Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Oh, and did I mention the Mariana Trench? Yeah, the deepest part of the ocean is right there. Pretty impressive, huh?

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Alright, so there’s no single, prominent island sitting exactly 600 km east of the Marianas. Instead, there’s an underwater seamount. But the surrounding region is full of fascinating islands and atolls, each with its own unique story and ecological importance. From the mystery of Amelia Earhart to the protected havens for wildlife, this part of the Pacific is full of surprises. It just goes to show, sometimes the most interesting things are hidden just beneath the surface!