NOTE: This is part two of a thirteen part article. Enjoy!!!
Part II – Island Geology
To understand Polynesia, you must first look for answers that begin deep in the ancient ocean seabed. During pre-historic times, volcanoes pushed up thru the earth’s crust, forming groups of islands. From the Greek word “poly” Polynesia means “many” islands. The 118 islands comprising five island groups or Archipelagos only cover 3500 square kilometers of land. Located far from civilized continents, French Polynesia is 6000 kilometers west of Chile, and 5200 kilometers east of Australia. Sandwiched between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, the location provides French Polynesia with an average temperature of 85°F. year round and with rainfall that varies from 2.5 meters to just over half a meter. The volcanic islands formed at different times therefore they are in various states of decay. The newest islands are the highest and most rugged.
A young island has a small coral reef
Tahiti’s Mount Orohena is 2241 meters high.
Middle aged islands have huge coral reefs
Middle aged islands are still rugged but not as tall. Bora Bora’s highest peak Mount Otenanu is 727 meters.
The oldest islands are comprised of just the coral reef
The oldest islands are not islands at all. After the volcano collapses into the ocean all that is left is a coral reef or atoll. At 75 kilometers by 25 kilometers, Rangiroa is the second largest atoll in the world.
With the exception of the Marquesas where a cooler ocean current has prevented large coral colonies, coral reefs heavily influence the Polynesian way of life. As the volcanic islands age and in the presence of warm ocean currents, large colonies of coral grow just off shore, usually no more than half a mile away. The coral beds are substantial, eventually surrounding the island as a ring of coral.
Oceanside view of Rangiroa's ring of coral
A shallow pass is river-like in appearance
Natural gaps in the ring of coral are called passes. Some passes are shallow and just a few feet wide; others are large enough to drive an ocean liner thru.
Popular with experienced scuba divers, “Pass Diving” is where divers attach themselves to a coral wall inside the pass, dangle on a tether to observe sea life and eventually release themselves, letting the strong current sweep them into the lagoon. The coral ring that surrounds an island can be substantial. Small sections of the coral ring (between passes) often look like small islands. Called motu, the large varieties support luxury hotels. Bora Bora is famous for its world class lagoon and motu islets with up-scale over the water bungalows. However Bora Bora is not unique, the over the water bungalow is found on most of the Polynesian islands.
Bora Bora's huge reef creates a magical lagoon
I read some where that Bora Bora means “First Born”; but stunning beauty would be more accurate.
Bora Bora's magical lagoon
I did not know that floating on my back in Bora Bora’s lagoon was on my “bucket list” until that very moment!!!!
Between the ring of coral and the island is a protected lagoon. Often very shallow, the lagoon’s white sandy bottom reflects the tropical azure sky. In early Polynesian history, the lagoons provide a safe place to fish. Some tribes organized fish farms in the natural protection of the lagoon. In modern times the lagoons attract visitors from all over the world.
The physicality of the islands helps shape the Polynesian culture. Isolation is key to the preservation of a society that evolves far from the influence of other people. The rugged mountainous terrain separating lush valleys provides further insulation for tribes of Polynesians that did not always get along. I had planned to hike to a number of island summits; but to my disappointment trails are sketchy due to weather and steepness. Consequently, I had more time to play in the lagoons. Yeh!
More to follow, Part III is on its way. Suzan
