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Coordinates: 03°52′S 33°49′W / 3.867°S 33.817°W / -3.867; -33.817
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| designation1_criteria = vii, ix, x
| designation1_criteria = vii, ix, x
| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1000 1000]
| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1000 1000]
| designation1_free1name = State Party
| designation1_free1name = Region
| designation1_free1value = Brazil
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in the Americas|Latin America and the Caribbean]]
| designation1_free2name = Region
| designation1_free2value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in the Americas|Latin America and the Caribbean]]
}}
}}
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


The '''Rocas Atoll''' ({{lang-pt|Atol das Rocas}} {{IPA-pt|aˈtɔw dɐs ˈʁɔkɐs|}}) is the only [[atoll]] in the South [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref name='Amado-Filho'>{{citation | first = G. M. | last = Amado-Filho | contribution = The mesophotic zone of the only South Atlantic Atoll is dominated byrhodolith beds | title = IV International Rhodolith Workshop | editor-first = Julio | editor-last = Aguirre | publisher = Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias | place = Granada, Spain | pages = 10–11 | date = 2012-09-17|display-authors=etal}}</ref> It belongs to the [[Brazil]]ian [[States of Brazil|State]] of [[Rio Grande do Norte]]. It is located approximately {{convert|260|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of [[Natal, Rio Grande do Norte|Natal]] and {{convert|145|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of the [[Fernando de Noronha]] [[archipelago]]. The atoll is of volcanic origin and coralline formation.
The '''Rocas Atoll''' ({{lang-pt|Atol das Rocas}} {{IPA-pt|aˈtɔw dɐz ˈʁɔkɐs|}}) is the only [[atoll]] in the South [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref name='Amado-Filho'>{{citation | first = G. M. | last = Amado-Filho | contribution = The mesophotic zone of the only South Atlantic Atoll is dominated byrhodolith beds | title = IV International Rhodolith Workshop | editor-first = Julio | editor-last = Aguirre | publisher = Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias | place = Granada, Spain | pages = 10–11 | date = 2012-09-17|display-authors=etal}}</ref> It belongs to the [[Brazil]]ian [[States of Brazil|State]] of [[Rio Grande do Norte]]. It is located approximately {{convert|260|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of [[Natal, Rio Grande do Norte|Natal]] and {{convert|145|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of the [[Fernando de Noronha]] [[archipelago]]. The atoll is of volcanic origin and coralline formation.


==Description==
==Description==
[[File:ESC large ISS022 ISS022-E-79937k.JPG|thumb|left|caption|240px|Rocas Atoll, Brazil, photographed from the [[International Space Station]] by the crew of [[Expedition 22]].]]
[[File:ESC large ISS022 ISS022-E-79937k.JPG|thumb|left|240px|Rocas Atoll, Brazil, photographed from the [[International Space Station]] by the crew of [[Expedition 22]].]]
The oval atoll is {{convert|3.7|km|mi}} long and {{convert|2.5|km|mi}} wide. The [[lagoon]] is up to {{convert|6|m|ft}} deep and has an area of {{convert|7.1|km2|sqmi}}. The land area of the two islets (Cemitério Island, southwest and Farol Cay, northwest) is {{convert|0.36|km2|acre}}. Farol Cay accounts for almost two-thirds of the aggregate area. The highest point is a sand [[dune]] in the south of larger Farol Cay, with a height of {{convert|6|m|ft}}. Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a few [[palm trees]]. The population consists of crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many species of birds.
The oval atoll is {{convert|3.7|km|mi}} long and {{convert|2.5|km|mi}} wide. The [[lagoon]] is up to {{convert|6|m|ft}} deep and has an area of {{convert|7.1|km2|sqmi}}. The land area of the two islets (Cemitério Island, southwest and Farol Cay, northwest) is {{convert|0.36|km2|acre}}. Farol Cay accounts for almost two-thirds of the aggregate area. The highest point is a sand [[dune]] in the south of larger Farol Cay, with a height of {{convert|6|m|ft}}. Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a few [[palm trees]]. The population consists of crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many species of birds.


There is a lighthouse of the [[Brazilian Navy]] that has been in operation and maintained since the 1960s, at the Northern end of Farol Bay. In its vicinity is a derelict lighthouse from 1933.
There is a lighthouse of the [[Brazilian Navy]] that has been in operation and maintained since the 1960s, at the Northern end of Farol Bay. In its vicinity is a derelict lighthouse from 1933.


The atoll is a wildlife sanctuary, and in 2001 was designated by [[UNESCO]] as a [[World Heritage Site]]. Numerous [[turtle]]s, [[shark]]s, [[dolphin]]s and [[bird]]s live in the area. The atoll consists mainly of [[coral]] and red [[algae]]. The coral ring is almost closed, with a {{convert|200|m|ft}} wide channel on the North side and a much narrower channel on the Westside.
The atoll is a wildlife sanctuary, and in 2001 was designated by [[UNESCO]] as a [[World Heritage Site]] because of its importance as a feeding ground for marine life. Numerous [[turtle]]s, [[shark]]s, [[dolphin]]s and [[bird]]s live in the area. The atoll consists mainly of [[coral]] and red [[algae]]. The coral ring is almost closed, with a {{convert|200|m|ft}} wide channel on the north side and a much narrower channel on the west side.


⚫
The atoll and surrounding waters are contained in the [[Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve]]. The reserve it is currently used solely for [[scientific]] research. Due to their remote location, the islands remain largely undisturbed by human activities. On the other hand, the remoteness also limits researchers' access to the islands and few studies have been developed on this [[atoll]]. The [[entomological]] [[fauna]] from Atol das Rocas have been recorded.<ref>Almeida CE, Marchon-Silva V V, Ribeiro R, Serpa-Filho A, Almeida JR, Costa J. 2000. Entomological fauna from Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas, RN, Brazil: I. Morphospecies composition. Rev Bras Biol. 60(2):291-298.</ref>
The atoll and surrounding waters are contained in the [[Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve]].
The reserve it is currently used solely for [[scientific]] research.
⚫
Due to their remote location, the islands remain largely undisturbed by human activities. On the other hand, the remoteness also limits researchers' access to the islands and few studies have been developed on this [[atoll]]. The [[entomological]] [[fauna]] from Atol das Rocas has been recorded.<ref>Almeida CE, Marchon-Silva V V, Ribeiro R, Serpa-Filho A, Almeida JR, Costa J. 2000. Entomological fauna from Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas, RN, Brazil: I. Morphospecies composition. Rev Bras Biol. 60(2):291-298.</ref>

== Pop culture==
The atoll was the site of a missile attack on a [[Cobra Command|Cobra]] satellite communications tracking station and robotics storage center, in the ''[[G.I. Joe (comics)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic title from [[Marvel Comics]].<ref>[[Herb Trimpe|Trimpe, Herb]] (1991). "Double Trouble", ''G.I. Joe A Real American Hero'', Vol. 1, No. 119.</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{States_of_Brazil}}
{{States_of_Brazil}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Brazil}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Brazil}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Atolls of Brazil]]
[[Category:Atolls of Brazil]]
[[Category:Islands of the South Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Islands of the South Atlantic Ocean]]

Revision as of 18:15, 12 July 2024

Rocas Atoll
Ruins of the old lighthouse, with the new lighthouse in the background
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates03°52′S 33°49′W / 3.867°S 33.817°W / -3.867; -33.817
ArchipelagoAtol das Rocas
Total islands2
Major islandsFarol; Cemitério
Area0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi)
Administration
RegionNortheast
StateRio Grande do Norte
Demographics
Populationuninhabited
Official nameBrazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves
TypeNatural
Criteriavii, ix, x
Designated2001 (25th session)
Reference no.1000
RegionLatin America and the Caribbean

The Rocas Atoll (Portuguese: Atol das Rocas [aˈtɔw dɐz ˈʁɔkɐs]) is the only atoll in the South Atlantic Ocean.[1] It belongs to the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Norte. It is located approximately 260 km (160 mi) northeast of Natal and 145 km (90 mi) west of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. The atoll is of volcanic origin and coralline formation.

Description

Rocas Atoll, Brazil, photographed from the International Space Station by the crew of Expedition 22.

The oval atoll is 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) long and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. The lagoon is up to 6 metres (20 ft) deep and has an area of 7.1 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi). The land area of the two islets (Cemitério Island, southwest and Farol Cay, northwest) is 0.36 square kilometres (89 acres). Farol Cay accounts for almost two-thirds of the aggregate area. The highest point is a sand dune in the south of larger Farol Cay, with a height of 6 metres (20 ft). Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a few palm trees. The population consists of crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many species of birds.

There is a lighthouse of the Brazilian Navy that has been in operation and maintained since the 1960s, at the Northern end of Farol Bay. In its vicinity is a derelict lighthouse from 1933.

The atoll is a wildlife sanctuary, and in 2001 was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site because of its importance as a feeding ground for marine life. Numerous turtles, sharks, dolphins and birds live in the area. The atoll consists mainly of coral and red algae. The coral ring is almost closed, with a 200 metres (660 ft) wide channel on the north side and a much narrower channel on the west side.

The atoll and surrounding waters are contained in the Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve. The reserve it is currently used solely for scientific research. Due to their remote location, the islands remain largely undisturbed by human activities. On the other hand, the remoteness also limits researchers' access to the islands and few studies have been developed on this atoll. The entomological fauna from Atol das Rocas have been recorded.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Amado-Filho, G. M.; et al. (2012-09-17), "The mesophotic zone of the only South Atlantic Atoll is dominated byrhodolith beds", in Aguirre, Julio (ed.), IV International Rhodolith Workshop, Granada, Spain: Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, pp. 10–11
  2. ^ Almeida CE, Marchon-Silva V V, Ribeiro R, Serpa-Filho A, Almeida JR, Costa J. 2000. Entomological fauna from Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas, RN, Brazil: I. Morphospecies composition. Rev Bras Biol. 60(2):291-298.
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