Ahunui
- ISS006-E-37449
- 11 March 2003
- 21:18 UTC
Ahunui is a small, tear-drop shaped atoll (note that there is some spatial distortion in the above image) of the Center East Group of atolls, located 55 km southeast from Paraoa and 120 km southwest from Vairaatea.
Ahunui has a maximum dimension of 6.5 km, consisting of a continuous outer reef rim that has no reef-crossing passages connecting the interior lagoon with the surrounding ocean. There are, however, numerous spillways on the southern side of the atoll. The eastern rim of the atoll is toped by a single, elongate motu that wraps around the entire eastern side. On the southern and southwestern sides the eastern motu breaks up into a chain of 18 small, vegetated islets.
Synonyms: Ahounoui, Ahunui Island, Byam Martin Island, Cockburn Island, Fanga-taufa, Nga-taumanga
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center