Tanaga Pass facts for kids

The Tanaga Pass is a narrow stretch of water, also known as a strait. It is located in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Bering Sea. This pass is found between Tanaga Island and the Delarof Islands.

It is about 40 miles (64 km) long and 13 miles (21 km) wide at its narrowest point. The Tanaga Pass is known for its strong ocean currents.

Where is Tanaga Pass?

Tanaga Pass is part of the Aleutian Islands, a long chain of islands that stretch from the Alaskan mainland towards Russia. These islands are famous for their volcanoes and wild weather. The pass itself is a key waterway for ships traveling through this part of Alaska.

What About the Currents?

The water in Tanaga Pass moves quite fast. These moving waters are called tidal currents, and they are caused by the ocean's tides. In the Tanaga Pass, these currents often flow between two and three knots. A "knot" is a way to measure speed at sea, and one knot is about 1.15 miles per hour (1.85 km/h). So, the currents can be quite strong!

How Currents Affect Ships

The currents in Tanaga Pass are not always simple. They can change direction and speed because of the nearby islands and underwater areas. For example, the water flowing in (the "flood" current) can be pushed around by islands like Skagul Island. This means the current might set northeast in one spot, but then turn north or even northwest in another nearby spot.

Because of these tricky currents, sailors cannot always rely on their usual navigation methods, like "dead reckoning." Dead reckoning is when sailors estimate their position based on their last known spot, speed, and direction. In Tanaga Pass, the currents can push a ship off course by a mile or more in just one hour! This makes it a challenging place for ships to navigate safely.

Even with these strong and sometimes unpredictable currents, the Tanaga Pass is an important natural waterway in the Aleutian Islands.