Marotiri (Bass Rocks)
Geography
Marotiri is a group of four volcanic rocks, forming the southeastern end of the Austral Islands of French Polynesia. The rocks are located in the subtropical climate zone, the climate is humid and temperate. The lower rocks are almost devoid of vegetation - although there is some vegetation on the upper slopes and summits. They are important as a seabird rookery. Fish abound in the adjacent waters.
Another name: Cuatro-Coronados
Location: 27°55′S 143°26′W. It is located 75 km of Rapa Iti, and about 1,167 km west-south-westward of Pitcairn Island
Area: 4.31 ha or 0.043 km² (Northern Rock – 0.58 ha, Central Rock – 0.18 ha, Southern Rock – 2.24 ha and Western Rock – 1.31 ha). The rocks are between 1.5 and 3 kilometres apart.
Highest point: 113 m (371 ft) above sea-level (Southern Rock).
Population: uninhabited.
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| Map of Marotiri |
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| Marotiri |
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| Marotiri |
History
The rocks had been visited by Polynesian before they were discovered by Europeans. The Polynesians probably came there to collect the bird’s eggs and fishing.
The Frenchman Jean Guilin, an author of a travel guide about the Austral Islands, concludes on the Southern rock had once been a stronghold of the Polynesian indigenous people who had been created by the tribes of the neighbouring island of Rapa for the protection of fishing areas as a refuge.
1800 – Marotiri was discovered for Europe by George Bass.
1956 - Thor Heyerdahl was on a visit to Southern Rock. He discovered some stone structures that have been made by Polynesians. The function and age of those structures are unknown.
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| Marotiri |
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| Marotiri |
Sources:
Pacific Islands Volume II Eastern Pacific Naval Intelligence Division 1943
