Starbuck
- ISS006-E-28727
- 17 February 2003
- 17:37 UTC
Starbuck lies in the southern Line Islands, 830 km southeast from Kiritimati and 204 km southwest from Malden (see panoramic image). It is a low-lying island with a dry climate, covering 16.2 km² in area.
Starbuck extends for around 9 km in length and up to 3.5 km in width, with its long axis running from east to west. The interior contains several dark-coloured saline lagoons which at times dry out completely. Like its neighbour Malden, Starbuck rises from its reef fringed coast to a steep beach crest before descending into a slight interior depression.
Due to its dry climate Starbuck is vegetated with sparse atoll scrub, herbs and low grasses. Despite this, the island is an important breeding site for seabirds, including an important colony of Sooty Terns (Sterna fuscata) — with several million birds of this species using the island. Starbuck is protected as a strict wildlife sanctuary.
Synonyms: Volunteer Island
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center.
