Takapoto
- ISS002-E-6369
- 21 May 2001
- 21:08 UTC
Together with the atolls of Ahe, Manihi and Takaroa, and the island of Tikei, Takapoto is a member of the Îles du Roi Georges (King George Islands) group of the northwestern regions of the Tuamotu archipelago. It is located 10 km southwest from Takaroa and 70 km southeast from Manihi.
The atoll is orientated northeast to southwest, measuring 17 km in length and 5.5 km in width. The reef perimeter (48 km in length) is topped by a discontinuous series of motu separated by small spillways. The motu range in width from 300 to 800 m — the widest being located at the southwestern end of the atoll (shown in the above image). The 81 km² lagoon of Takapoto is moderatley deep with depths reaching 40 to 45 m and is studded with numerous coral pinnacles throughout.
Takapoto rises from the southwestern summit of a large, elongated, twin-peaked seamount; the smaller atoll of Takaroa occupies the northeastern summit of the same seamount.
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center
