Sapwuahfik (Ngatik)
- ISS002-E-6446
- 24 May 2001
- 22:49 UTC
An atoll of southern Pohnpei State, Sapwuahfik (formerly known as Ngatik, after its main island) is located 138 km southwest from Pohnpei and 320 km northeast from Nukuoro.
The atoll consists of a near-continuous outer perimeter of reefs that enclose a very deep central lagoon of some 80 km² in area. Narrowing towards its western end, the atoll measures 22 km in length with a maximum north to south width of 10 km in the east. A single, coral ridge-lined pass on the southeast is the only entrance into the lagoon.
The atoll's major landmass, Ngatik, is located at the western end; nine smaller islets (clockwise from the northeast: Peina, Bigen Karakar, Jirup, Bigen kalang, Pikepe, Dekehnman, Wat, Pikenmetkow, and Uataluk) and areas of shifting sand bank are located on the eastern rim, giving Sapwuahfik a total land area of 1.7 km².
The islands are all vegetated, primarily with coconut palm (Cocos nucifera); other typical atoll forest species such as Cordia subcordata, Tournefortia spp., Scaevola spp. and Ficus spp. are also present.
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center
