Pacific Islands

Polynesia – many islands Micronesia – tiny islands Melanesia – black islands

Pacific Ocean Over twice the size of the Atlantic Over twice the size of the Atlantic 1/3 of the earth 1/3 of the earth 64 million square miles 64 million square miles 20,000-30,000 islands ????? 20,000-30,000 islands ????? Three types of islands Three types of islands 13,000 species of fish 13,000 species of fish Supplies 60% of fish consumed by people Supplies 60% of fish consumed by people Sea life is used in medicines Sea life is used in medicines Pearls, manganese, copper, nickel, oil, natural gas Pearls, manganese, copper, nickel, oil, natural gas Tourism Tourism

Winds and Currents Move in circles bringing cooler water and air to the equator and warmer air and water to the poles. Move in circles bringing cooler water and air to the equator and warmer air and water to the poles. Shape the climate of most Pacific Islands Shape the climate of most Pacific Islands

Continental Islands Once part of a continent Once part of a continent Separated because of erosion, tectonic plate movement, or water levels rising Separated because of erosion, tectonic plate movement, or water levels rising New Zealand New Zealand Fertile soils Fertile soils Mountainous Mountainous

Volcanic Islands Begin with volcanic eruptions under the ocean Begin with volcanic eruptions under the ocean Lava and ash build up Lava and ash build up Cone shaped, steep sided, high peak Cone shaped, steep sided, high peak Fiji, Samoa, Hawaiian Islands Fiji, Samoa, Hawaiian Islands

Atolls Form when a volcanic island surrounded by a coral reef sinks beneath the sea Form when a volcanic island surrounded by a coral reef sinks beneath the sea Surrounds a lagoon Surrounds a lagoon Common in Indian and Pacific Islands Common in Indian and Pacific Islands

New Zealand A continental Island North Island has many river, lakes, geysers, hot springs South Island About the size of California, mountainous 1000 miles N-S 280 miles E-W Fjords Southern Alps Wellington Isolated, over 1,000 miles from Australia Marine west coast climate, fertile farmland Population: 4 million, mostly on North Island, urban, developed Rain shadow

Tahiti – A Volcanic Island Formed from two volcanoes Formed from two volcanoes Isolated Isolated French Polynesia French Polynesia 402 sq miles 402 sq miles Land rises steeply, waterfalls, cliffs Land rises steeply, waterfalls, cliffs Two seasons = wet and dry, temps in 80s Two seasons = wet and dry, temps in 80s Breadfruit, coconuts, palms Breadfruit, coconuts, palms Imports foods Imports foods Tourism, black pearls, commercial fishing Tourism, black pearls, commercial fishing Modern, crowded city of Pepeete and traditional villages Modern, crowded city of Pepeete and traditional villages

Kwajalein Island – an atoll Largest island on the Kwajalein Atoll Largest island on the Kwajalein Atoll 97 islands in the atoll have a total area of 6.5 sq miles, they surround 600 sq miles of ocean 97 islands in the atoll have a total area of 6.5 sq miles, they surround 600 sq miles of ocean Highest points are feet above sea level Highest points are feet above sea level Flood easily, no rivers or streams Flood easily, no rivers or streams Collect rain water, desalination plant Collect rain water, desalination plant Tropical wet climate Tropical wet climate Coral reefs protect island from storm surges, full of life Coral reefs protect island from storm surges, full of life Farming is very limited – coconuts, breadfruit, fish, Farming is very limited – coconuts, breadfruit, fish, US military base, tourism US military base, tourism 13,500 Marshall islanders, 3000 Americans 13,500 Marshall islanders, 3000 Americans Cars, bicycles, ferries, planes Cars, bicycles, ferries, planes Dome homes, water sports, volleyball, softball, movies, bowling Dome homes, water sports, volleyball, softball, movies, bowling