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Emily Hood 4

Published on Nov 18, 2015

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

PACIFIC ISLANDS

By Emily Hood

ATOLLS

  • Definition: A circle of reefs and coral islands surrounding a lagoon
  • They are remains of volcanic islands that have sunk because coral reefs grew around them.
  • Form often in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
  • An example of an atoll is the Kwajalein Atoll.

CONTINENTAL ISLANDS

  • Were once connected to a continent
  • Separated after the last ice age
  • The glaciers from the ice age melted and sea levels rose, covering the lamd bridges connecting the island.
  • Others separated when large ocean waves washed away land.
  • An example of a continental islamd is New Zealand.

VOLCANIC ISLANDS

  • Formed when volcanos erupt below sea level
  • Lava and ash builds up until it rises above sea level
  • An example of a volcanic island is the Hawaiian islands.

WHAT ARE TRADE WINDS?

  • Definition: winds that come from north and south and blow toward the equator.
  • They shift westward due to the rotation of the Earth.
  • They form ocean currents.
  • All winds move around Earth in a circular motion.

TAHITI

PHYSICAL FEATURES

  • Largest island in the French Polynesia
  • Only 402 square miles in area (1/3 the size of Rhode Island)
  • The larger section of island is called the Tahiti Nui
  • The smaller section is called the Tahiti Iti
  • Both sections of Tahiti were once active volcanos

CLIMATE

  • Two seasons: wet and dry