I PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF EN EWETAK ATOLL GEOGRAPHY The atall consists of 40 islandson nautical miles, with is 2.75 square miles, sea the long with an elliptically axis the running northwest height generally land The vicinity Map shows level. shaped the atoll reef approximately 23 by17 The land area to southeast. averaging total 6 to 8 feet above mean configuration. CLIMATOLOGY Enewetak’s 94° climate is the F and humidity moderate variable tradewinds tropical marine tYPe, in the 73 to 80 percent rainfall (57 inches mean with temperatures range. There annual rainfall) ranging is much cumulus and from 710 cloud frequent to cover, northeasterly of 10 to 30 knots. GEOLOGY Enewetak volcano Atoll which forms Steep coralline islands, born which subside slowly when shallow, below clear, with side. the volcano and then the feet island is a shal example the ocean warm, above base the is ocean ow lagoon continues with As marine the fringe oval a maximum concept the feet ring depth of atoll by a fringing the coral waters) of reef to subside, while 4,200 a flat surrounded surface. oxygenated the subsidence, form of the Darwinian volcano, floor, approximately to the surfoce an oceanic mensurate As 15,000 reaching is a classic atol I is quire reefs within Enewetak rises below the surface. of reef and low-lying of about formation coral 200 feet. in which reef, begins an to and coralline algae (which re.. maintain an upward growth com- flourishes, the fringe top of the eroded reef particularly gives way on the ocean to a barrier ree4, . . . .... . . .. . “ e. to an atol -2- -, . . .. . . .... . . .. ._—... .... .. .. . . ... ,, .”- -.. _..r- --——- . - —----.-,---.--, - --%-. . .. —----------------. ...---r—. —-,-7-.