Tabuaeran
- ISS007-E-14782
- 11 September 2003
- 19:28 UTC
Tabuaeran (still often referred to as Fanning) is a large oval-shaped atoll formation of the northern Line Islands, located 285 km northwest from Kiritimati (see panoramic image) and 140 km southeast from Teraina.
The atoll measures 18 km by 11 km and consists of a broad reef rim with 3 large islands and several smaller islets and sand banks. The total land area of Tabuaeran is 33.7 km² — much of which is covered by coconut plantation. Between the islands there are 3 passages in to the lagoon, the largest of these being at English Harbour (right in image). The lagoon itself is shallow with extensive areas of lagoon flat and a network of elongated reefs.
Synonyms: Fanning Atoll, Fanning Island
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center
