Rurutu
- ISS004-E-5778
- 12 January 2002
- 00:02 UTC
Rurutu, located 210 km northwest from Tubuai and 150 km east from Rimatara, occupies an area of 32 km² measuring 10 km in length and up to 3 km in width. The island has been geologically uplifted and is surrounded by an ancient coral reef that forms a 50-60 m high limestone ridge around the island. Within the interior the hilly terrain rises to 398 m at Mt. Manureva. Other high points include Taatioa (389 m) and Teapei (369 m). Just offshore, Rurutu is surrounded by a fringing reef that encloses a narrow lagoon.
Rurutu has a number of endemic species of landbird, including the Pacific Reef-Heron (Egretta sacra), the Grey Duck (Anas superciliosa) and the Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis).
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center.
