Editing Geography of Nauru

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Nauru
| image_name       = Nauru map english.svg
| image_caption    = map of the island of Nauru
| image_size       = 
| map_image = LocationNauru.png
| map_caption = 
| native_name      = 
| native_name_link = 
| nickname         = 
| location         = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| pushpin_map       = Micronesia#Oceania#Pacific Ocean
| coordinates      = {{coord|0|32|S|166|55|E|display=it}}
| archipelago      = 
| total_islands    = 
| major_islands    = 
| area_km2         = 21
| length_km        =
| width_km         =
| highest_mount    = [[Command Ridge]]
| elevation_m      = 65
| country          = Nauru
| country_admin_divisions_title     = 
| country_admin_divisions           = 
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = 
| country_admin_divisions_1         = 
| country_admin_divisions_title_2   = 
| country_admin_divisions_2         = 
| country_largest_city              = [[Denigomodu District|Denigomodu]]
| country_largest_city_population   = 1,800
| population       = 10,058
| population_as_of = 2011
| density_km2      = 441.67
| ethnic_groups    = [[Nauruan people]]
| additional_info  =
}}
[[File:Nauru2021OSM.png|thumb|Enlargeable, detailed map of Nauru]]

[[Nauru]] is a tiny phosphate rock island nation located in the South [[Pacific Ocean]] south of the [[Marshall Islands]] in [[Oceania]]. It is only {{convert|53|km}} south of the [[Equator]] at [[Geographic coordinate system|coordinates]] {{coord|0|32|S|166|55|E|}}. Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean—the others are [[Banaba Island|Banaba]] (Ocean Island) in [[Kiribati]] and [[Makatea]] in [[French Polynesia]].

Its land area is {{convert|21|km2|abbr=on}}, and it has a {{convert|30|km|mi|adj=mid|coastline}}. Maritime claims are an [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|308,480|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} with 200-nautical-miles (370&nbsp;km), and a 12-nautical-mile (22&nbsp;km) territorial sea.

The [[climate]] is [[tropical]] with a [[monsoon]] rainy season from November to February.

A sandy beach rises to the fertile ring around raised [[fringing coral reef]]s.<ref>{{cite web|author1=CIA factbook|title=Nauru Terrain - Geography|url=http://www.indexmundi.com/nauru/terrain.html|website=www.indexmundi.com|access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> The raised phosphate plateau ('Topside') takes up the central portion of the island. The highest point is 213&nbsp;ft (65 m) above sea level, along the plateau rim.

Nauru's only economically significant natural resources are [[phosphate]]s, formed from [[guano]] deposits by seabirds, and fisheries,<ref>[http://www.wcpfc.int/sc4/pdf/Nauru%20Annual%20Report%20(Part%201)%20-%20SC4.pdf Annual Report Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research and Statistics: Republic of Nauru.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703161415/https://www.wcpfc.int/sc4/pdf/Nauru%20Annual%20Report%20(Part%201)%20-%20SC4.pdf |date=2020-07-03 }} Working Paper 17 of the 4th Scientific Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. WCPFC 2008.</ref> particularly for [[tuna]]. 

Due to being surrounded by [[coral]]s and sandy beaches, the island houses no natural [[harbour]]s, nor any [[river]]s or substantial [[lake]]s.

Nauru has a [[Nauruan navigational system|unique navigational system]], which is only capable of being used on the island.

==Geology of Nauru==
{{main|Geology of Nauru}}
[[Image:Nauru satellite.jpg|left|thumb|An aerial image of Nauru in 2002 from the U.S. Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program. Regenerated vegetation covers 63% of land that was mined.<ref name = "climate">Republic of Nauru. 1999. [http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/naunc1.pdf Climate Change Response Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] URL Accessed 2006-05-03</ref>]]
Nauru is a [[raised coral atoll]] positioned in the Nauru Basin of the Pacific Ocean, on a part of the [[Pacific Plate]] that formed at a [[mid oceanic ridge|mid-oceanic ridge]] at 132 [[mega-annum|Ma]]. From mid-[[Eocene]] (35mya) to [[Oligocene]] times, a submarine [[volcano]] built up over a [[Hotspot (geology)|hotspot]] and formed a [[seamount]]    composed of [[basalt]]. The seamount is over 4300 metres high. This hotspot was simultaneous with a major Pacific Plate reorganisation. The volcano was eroded to sea level and a [[coral]] [[atoll]] grew on top to a thickness of about 500 metres. Coral near the surface has been dated from 5 Mya to 0.3 Mya. The original limestone has been [[dolomitised]] by [[magnesium]] from [[sea water|seawater]]. The coral was raised above sea level about 30 metres and is now a dolomite limestone outcrop which was eroded in classic [[karst]] style into [[Pinnacle (geology)|pinnacle]]s up to 20 metres high. To at least a depth of 55 metres below sea level, the limestone has been dissolved forming cavities, sinkholes, and caves. Holes on the topside of the island were filled up by a [[phosphate]] layer up to several metres thick.

[[Anibare Bay]] was formed by the underwater collapse of the east side of the volcano.
[[Buada Lagoon]] was formed by solution of the limestone when the sea level was lower, followed by collapse.

Nauru is moving at {{convert|104|mm|abbr=on}} per year to the northwest along with the Pacific Plate.

Freshwater can be found in Buada lagoon, and also in some brackish ponds at the escarpment base in [[Ijuw District|Ijuw]] and [[Anabar District|Anabar]] in the northeast. There is an underground lake in Moqua Cave in the southeast of the island. Since there are no streams or rivers on Nauru, water must be gathered from roof catchment systems. Water is also brought to Nauru as ballast on ships returning for loads of phosphate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Yaren|title=Yaren {{!}} district, Nauru|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref>

==Environmental issues==
*Periodic [[drought]]s, limited natural freshwater resources (roof storage tanks collect rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, aging [[desalination]] plant)
*Extreme soil conditions are caused by high alkalinity, high phosphate levels, and low [[potassium]]. [[Iron]], [[manganese]], [[copper]], [[molybdenum]], and [[zinc]] are rendered unavailable to plants. Combined with thin or damaged soils this causes low fertility.
*Intensive [[phosphate mining in Nauru|phosphate mining]] during the past 90 years has left the central 80% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources.

Nauru is a party to the international environmental agreements on [[Convention on Biological Diversity|biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|climate change]], [[United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification|desertification]], the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea|law of the sea]] and [[Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter|marine dumping]].

==Climate==
[[File:Temperature Bar Chart Pacific-Nauru--1909-2020--2021-07-13.png|thumb|upright=1.5|Temperature change in Nauru since 1909 in the context of [[global warming]]]]{{See|Climate change in the Pacific Islands}}
Nauru's climate is hot and very humid year-round because of its proximity to the equator and the ocean. Nauru is hit by [[monsoon]] rains between November and February, but rarely has cyclones. Annual rainfall is highly variable and is influenced by the [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation]], with several significant recorded droughts.<ref name="UNCCD">{{cite web |author=Nauru Department of Economic Development and Environment |year=2003 |url=http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/nauru-eng.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722013720/http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/nauru-eng.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2011 |title=First National Report to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification |publisher=[[United Nations]] |access-date=25 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Affaire de certaines terres à phosphates à Nauru |year=2003 |publisher=International Court of Justice |isbn=978-92-1-070936-1 |pages=107–109 }}</ref> The temperature on Nauru ranges between {{cvt|30|and|35|C}} during the day and is quite stable at around {{cvt|25|C}} at night.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/PCCSP/pdf/6._Nauru_GH_poster.pdf |title= Pacific Climate Change Science Program |access-date=10 June 2012 |publisher= Government of Australia |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120227175200/http://www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/PCCSP/pdf/6._Nauru_GH_poster.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Yaren District, Nauru
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes
|width = auto 
|Jan record high C = 34
|Feb record high C = 37
|Mar record high C = 35
|Apr record high C = 35
|May record high C = 32
|Jun record high C = 32
|Jul record high C = 35
|Aug record high C = 33
|Sep record high C = 35
|Oct record high C = 34
|Nov record high C = 36
|Dec record high C = 35
|year record high C = 37
|Jan high C = 30
|Feb high C = 30
|Mar high C = 30
|Apr high C = 30
|May high C = 30
|Jun high C = 30
|Jul high C = 30
|Aug high C = 30
|Sep high C = 30
|Oct high C = 31
|Nov high C = 31
|Dec high C = 31
|Jan low C = 25
|Feb low C = 25
|Mar low C = 25
|Apr low C = 25
|May low C = 25
|Jun low C = 25
|Jul low C = 25
|Aug low C = 25
|Sep low C = 25
|Oct low C = 25
|Nov low C = 25
|Dec low C = 25
|Jan record low C = 21
|Feb record low C = 21
|Mar record low C = 21
|Apr record low C = 21
|May record low C = 20
|Jun record low C = 21
|Jul record low C = 20
|Aug record low C = 21
|Sep record low C = 20
|Oct record low C = 21
|Nov record low C = 21
|Dec record low C = 21
|year record low C = 20
|Jan precipitation mm = 280
|Feb precipitation mm = 250
|Mar precipitation mm = 190
|Apr precipitation mm = 190
|May precipitation mm = 120
|Jun precipitation mm = 110
|Jul precipitation mm = 150
|Aug precipitation mm = 130
|Sep precipitation mm = 120
|Oct precipitation mm = 100
|Nov precipitation mm = 120
|Dec precipitation mm = 280
|year precipitation mm = 2080
|Jan precipitation days = 16
|Feb precipitation days = 14
|Mar precipitation days = 13
|Apr precipitation days = 11
|May precipitation days = 9
|Jun precipitation days = 9
|Jul precipitation days = 12
|Aug precipitation days = 14
|Sep precipitation days = 11
|Oct precipitation days = 10
|Nov precipitation days = 13
|Dec precipitation days = 15
|year precipitation days = 152
|source = [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=542049&refer=&cityname=Yaren-District-Yaren-Nauru&units=metric Weatherbase]
|date=December 2011
}}

== Extreme points ==

This is a list of the extreme points of [[Nauru]], the points that are farther north, south, east or west or higher than any other location.

* Northernmost point – [[Cape Anna, Nauru|Cape Anna]], [[Ewa District, Nauru|Ewa District]].
* Easternmost point – [[Cape Ijuw]], [[Ijuw District]].
* Southernmost point – unnamed headland south of the wireless station, [[Meneng District]].
* Westernmost point – the harbour, [[Aiwo District]].
* Highest point – [[Command Ridge]] (65 m, 213&nbsp;ft).
* Lowest point – [[Pacific Ocean]] (sea level).

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== See also ==
* [[List of settlements in Nauru]]

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{{Geography of Oceania}}
{{Nauru topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Nauru}}
[[Category:Geography of Nauru| ]]