Hotsarihie (Helen Reef) EarthCache
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Hotsarihie (Helen Reef)
Located approximately 700 km south of Palau’s capital city of
Koror, Hotsarihie is approximately 25 km long and nearly 10 km wide
and consists of a lagoon that encompasses some 103 km² and one
small island, Helen Island.
Formation of Coral Reef Atolls
As a result of his five year trip aboard the HMS Beagle, Charles
Darwin proposed an explanation for the formation of coral reef
atolls. He suggested that atolls are formed when corals grow around
and ring oceanic volcanic islands. Over tens of thousands of years
as the volcano sinks into the ocean, outer corals which continue to
grow upwards to the level of the sea form a barrier reef while the
inner reef falls behind creating a lagoon. Hotsarihie (which in the
local language means Reef of the Giant Clams) is one such atoll.
Helen Island is threatened with global warming and rising sea
levels. The island itself is the uppermost part of a large sand
dune that is shifting each year.
Biodiversity of Hotsarihie
Hotsarihie is incredibly rich in biodiversity. Female hawksbill and
green sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand on Helen Island making
the island a globally significant turtle nesting site. A variety of
birds also live on the island including White-headed and Crested
terns. Blue footed boobies also nest on the many large ships that
have become wrecked on the atoll. Unfortunately this rich
biodiversity attracts many poachers. To combat this illegal
activity the government of Palau has a permanent marine ranger
station on the island that is staffed at all times.
In order to log this cache, you must complete the following
tasks:
1. Introduce yourself to one of the island’s rangers, find
out the following information and submit it to me in an email (not
in the log below):
a. How do they assist with the survival of sea
turtles that nest on the island?
and
b. In what direction and by how much per year is the island itself
shifting?
Optional Logging Requirements:
1. Upload a photo of yourself standing in front of the
“Welcome to Helen Island ” sign.
and
2. Upload a photo of one of the following:
a. any of the numerous birds that nest on the
island
or
b. any of the giant clams that one can see while diving in the
area.
All logs without the required information sent to me by email will
be deleted to comply with the EarthCaching requirements.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)