Rowley Shoals facts for kids
The Rowley Shoals from the International Space Station at 389 km (242 mi) altitude on 21 September 2002.
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 17°20′S 119°20′E / 17.333°S 119.333°E |
| Administration | |
| State | Western Australia |
| Shoals | Rowley Shoals |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
The Rowley Shoals are a group of three special atoll-like coral reefs. They are located in the Indian Ocean, about 260 kilometers (160 miles) west of Broome on Australia's northwestern coast. These reefs sit on the edge of one of the world's widest continental shelves.
Each atoll covers an area of about 80 to 90 square kilometers (31 to 35 square miles). This includes the calm water areas called lagoons. The actual land areas on the reefs are very small. The Rowley Shoals belong to Western Australia and rise steeply from the deep ocean floor. To the northeast, you can find the Scott and Seringapatam Reefs, which are on the same underwater platform.
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Discovering the Rowley Shoals
The Rowley Shoals got their name from Captain Phillip Parker King in 1818. He named them after Captain Rowley, who first saw the Imperieuse Reef in the year 1800.
Early Visitors to the Reefs
It is believed that fishermen from Indonesia have been visiting the Rowley Shoals for a very long time, possibly since the mid-1700s. These fishermen came to collect or hunt for things like Trepang (which are sea cucumbers), turtle shells, trochus shells, and shark fins.
These early visitors from Indonesia knew the Rowley Shoals by the name Pulau Pulo Dhaoh. Later, fishermen from Roti Island, south of Timor, also visited. They called the shoals Pulau Bawa Angin. Each of the three main reefs also had its own special name:
- Mermaid Reef was called Pulau Manjariti.
- Clerke Reef was known as Pulau Tengah.
- Imperieuse Reef was named Pulau Matsohor.
Exploring the Rowley Shoals Reefs
The Rowley Shoals are made up of three unique reefs. Each one has its own interesting features.
Mermaid Reef: The Northeastern Atoll
Mermaid Reef is the most northeastern of the three reefs. It is an atoll with a large lagoon inside. The coral rim around the lagoon often becomes dry at low tide. There are also many dry patches within the lagoon itself.
On the northeast side of the reef, there is a passage about 60 meters (200 feet) wide. This passage leads into the lagoon. Mermaid Reef rises steeply from the ocean floor, which is about 440 meters (1,440 feet) deep around it. Captain Philip Parker King discovered this reef in 1818 and named it after his ship, the HMS Mermaid.
Clerke Reef: Home to Bedwell Islet
Clerke Reef is also known as Minstrel Shoal. It is located about 23 kilometers (14 miles) southwest of Mermaid Reef. This reef is about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) long from north to south and about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) wide.
Near the northern end of Clerke Reef, you'll find Bedwell Islet. This is a bare sand cay, which is like a small sandy island, about 2 meters (6.6 feet) high. On the eastern and western sides of the reef, there are many large rocks that become dry at low tide. A narrow passage leads into a lagoon, which has many separate coral patches. Clerke Reef rises steeply from the ocean floor, which is 390 meters (1,280 feet) deep. Captain Philip Parker King also named this reef, after Captain Clerke, who had seen it from a whaling ship between 1800 and 1809.
Imperieuse Reef: The Lighthouse Reef
Imperieuse Reef is the most southwestern of the Rowley Shoals. It lies about 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Clerke Reef. This reef is about 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) long from north to south and about 8 kilometers (5.0 miles) wide.
On the southeastern edge of Imperieuse Reef, there are many coral boulders that rise about 3 meters (9.8 feet) above the water at low tide. Large parts of the reef become dry when the tide is out. There are two lagoons here, both filled with many coral patches. Cunningham Islet is a small sand cay on this reef. It is 3.7 meters (12 feet) high and has no plants growing on it. It is located near the northern tip of the reef and is surrounded by a small lagoon. This islet is important because it has a lighthouse called Imperieuse Reef Light. Imperieuse Reef rises steeply from the ocean floor, which is 230 meters (750 feet) deep. Captain Phillip Parker King named this reef after the ship HMS Imperieuse, from which Captain Rowley first saw it in 1800.
Protecting the Rowley Shoals
The Rowley Shoals are very important for nature. Mermaid Reef is listed on Australia's Commonwealth Heritage List. All three reefs were once registered on the former Register of the National Estate. These shoals are the only known home for several unusual species, like the Western Australian sculpin. This makes them very valuable for the environment.
Marine Parks for Conservation
To protect these special reefs, several marine parks have been created:
- The Rowley Shoals Marine Park covers the Clerke and Imperieuse Reefs. It was created in 1990 and made larger in 2004. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) of Western Australia manages this park.
- The Mermaid Reef Marine Park protects the northeastern Mermaid Reef. This is an Australian marine park managed by Parks Australia.
- The Argo-Rowley Terrace Marine Park is next to and includes the Mermaid Reef and Rowley Shoals marine parks.
Visiting the Rowley Shoals
Since about 1977, special charter boats from Broome have been taking people to the reefs. These trips are for deep sea fishing and diving expeditions. Over time, more and more people have become interested in this area.
The Rowley Shoals are now known for having some of the best diving spots in Australia. These reefs are among the most distant and untouched marine areas in the world. They offer an amazing experience for those who visit.
See also
In Spanish: Rowley Shoals para niños
