Jump to content

Asuncion Island: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m →‎External links: copyedit, already indirectly in category, refine cat, and AWB general fixes using AWB
not third northernmost
 
(35 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{More citations needed|date=April 2023}}
{{redirect|Ascuncion|similarly named places|Asunción (disambiguation)}}
{{for|similarly named places|Asunción (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Islands
{{Infobox Islands
| name = Asuncion
| name = Asuncion
| image name = Asuncion Island Aerial.jpg
| image_name = Asuncion Island Aerial.jpg
| image caption = US Geological survey photo of Asuncion island
| image_caption = US Geological survey photo of Asuncion island
| image size =
| image_size =
| locator map = Mariana Islands - Ascuncion Island.PNG
| map_image = Mariana Islands - Ascuncion Island.PNG
| map_custom =
| map_caption =
| native name =
| native_name =
| native_name_link =
| native name link =
| nickname =
| nickname =
| location = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| location = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|19|41|33|N|145|24|13|E}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|19|41|33|N|145|24|13|E}}
| archipelago = [[Northern Mariana Islands]]
| archipelago = [[Northern Mariana Islands]]
| total islands =
| total_islands =
| major islands =
| major_islands =
| area_km2 = 7.9
| area_km2 = 7.86
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://origin-apps-pifsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/cred/hmapping/monitoring_report_mariana_archipelago_2003-2007/ch15_asuncion.pdf|title=15 ASUNCION|website=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|page=53|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115130033/https://origin-apps-pifsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/cred/hmapping/monitoring_report_mariana_archipelago_2003-2007/ch15_asuncion.pdf|archive-date=15 November 2020|url-status=live|access-date=15 November 2020}}</ref>
| length_km = 3.3
| length_km = 3.3
| width_km = 3
| width_km = 3
| coastline_km =
| coastline_km =
| highest mount = Mount Asuncion
| highest_mount = Mount Asuncion
| elevation_m = 857
| elevation_m = 857
| country = United States
| country = United States
| country admin divisions title = Commonwealth
| country_admin_divisions_title = Commonwealth
| country admin divisions = [[Northern Mariana Islands]]
| country_admin_divisions = [[Northern Mariana Islands]]
| population = 0
| population = 0
| population as of = 2010
| population_as_of = 2010
| density_km2 =
| density_km2 =
| ethnic groups =
| ethnic_groups =
| additional info =
| additional_info =
}}
}}


'''Asuncion''' (or '''Ascuncion''') (from [[Spanish language|Spanish]] meaning "assumption") is the third northernmost island in the [[Northern Mariana Islands]] chain in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The island is uninhabited. Asuncion is situated {{convert|101|km|mi|sp=us}} northwest of [[Agrihan]] and {{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of the [[Maug Islands]].
'''Asuncion''' (from [[Spanish language|Spanish]] meaning "assumption" in reference to the Spanish explorers belief in the "Assumption" of the Holy Virgin Mary) is an island in the [[Northern Mariana Islands]] chain in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The island is uninhabited. Asuncion is situated {{convert|101|km|mi|sp=us}} northwest of [[Agrihan]] and {{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of the [[Maug Islands]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/asuncion.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707103827/http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/asuncion.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-07-07|title=Mariana Islands - Asuncion|date=2009-07-07|access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref>

⚫
==Geography==
⚫
Asuncion is a densely forested island, roughly elliptical in shape, with a length of {{convert|3.3|km|mi|sp=us}} and a width of {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} and an area of {{convert|7.9|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The entire island is a massive [[stratovolcano]] which rises from the ocean floor to a height of {{convert|857|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level,<ref name=gvp>{{cite gvp | vnum=0804-15= | title=Asuncion}}</ref> which last erupted in 1906.

⚫
The volcano is asymmetrical, with steep northeast slopes terminating in high cliffs. The southwestern slopes are shallower and meet the sea in low cliffs. Coastlines are generally rocky.
Vegetation includes Swordgrass ''([[Miscanthus floridulus]])'' grasslands on the upper slopes, forests of Coconut Palm ''([[Cocos nucifera]]),'' with some '' [[Pandanus]] '' trees and Papaya ''([[Carica papaya]])'' on the lower slopes, along with native ''[[Pisonia]].''


==History ==
==History ==
From a European perspective Asuncion was discovered in 1669 by the Spanish missionary [[Diego Luis de San Vitores]] who gave it its present name ([[Assumption of Mary]] in Spanish). It is likely that it was previously visited in 1522 by the Spanish sailor [[Castaway|Gonzalo de Vigo]], deserter from the [[Ferdinand Magellan|Magellan]] expedition in 1521, and also the first European castaway in the history of the Pacific.<ref>Coello, Francisco "Conflicto hispano-alemán" ''Boletín de Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid'', t.XIX. 2º semestre 1885, Madrid, p.233,301.</ref> In 1695, the native [[Chamorros]] were forcibly removed to [[Saipan]], and three years later to [[Guam]].
From a European perspective Asuncion was discovered in 1669 by the Spanish missionary [[Diego Luis de San Vitores]] who gave it its present name ([[Assumption of Mary]] in Spanish). It is likely that it was previously visited in 1522 by the Spanish sailor [[Castaway#Gonzalo de Vigo|Gonzalo de Vigo]], deserter from the [[Ferdinand Magellan|Magellan]] expedition in 1521, and also the first European castaway in the history of the Pacific.<ref>Coello, Francisco "Conflicto hispano-alemán" ''Boletín de Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid'', t.XIX. 2º semestre 1885, Madrid, p.233,301.</ref> In 1695, the native [[Chamorros]] were forcibly removed to [[Saipan]], and three years later to [[Guam]].

Asuncion was ceded by Spain to Germany through the [[German–Spanish Treaty (1899)]], together with the rest of the [[Mariana Islands]] (except [[Guam]]). The formalities of the cession were carried out on November 17, 1899, in [[Saipan]], for all the [[Northern Mariana Islands]].


Following the sale of the Northern Marianas by Spain to the [[German Empire]] in 1899, Asuncion was administered as part of [[German New Guinea]]. In 1903, the island was leased to a Japanese company, who hunted birds for feathers for export to [[Japan]], and from there to [[Paris]]. Six Japanese hunters died on the island in 1910 from illness.
Following the sale of the Northern Marianas by Spain to the [[German Empire]] in 1899, Asuncion was administered as part of [[German New Guinea]]. In 1903, the island was leased to a Japanese company, who hunted birds for feathers for export to [[Japan]], and from there to [[Paris]]. Six Japanese hunters died on the island in 1910 from illness.


During [[World War I]], Asuncion came under the control of the [[Empire of Japan]] and was administered as the [[South Pacific Mandate]]. Following [[World War II]], the island came under the control of the [[United States]] and was administered as part of the [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]]. Since 1978, the island has been part of the [[Northern Islands Municipality]] of the [[Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands]].
During [[World War I]], Asuncion came under the control of the [[Empire of Japan]] and was subsequently administered as the [[South Seas Mandate]]. Following [[World War II]], the island came under the control of the [[United States]] and was administered as part of the [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]]. Since 1978, the island has been part of the [[Northern Islands Municipality]] of the [[Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands]].


In 1985, per the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the island was designated as a wilderness area for the protection and conservation of natural resources. Since 2009, the island has been part of [[Marianas Trench Marine National Monument]] of the [[United States]].
In 1985, per the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the island was designated as a wilderness area for the protection and conservation of natural resources. Since 2009, the island has been part of [[Marianas Trench Marine National Monument]] of the [[United States]].

⚫
==Geography==
[[File:Txu-pclmaps-oclc-22834566 j-14c.jpg|thumb|left|Map including Asuncion Island ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1983)]]
[[File:Asuncion ISS014.jpg|thumb|left|Asuncion Island]]
⚫
Asuncion is a densely forested island, roughly elliptical in shape, with a length of {{convert|3.3|km|mi|sp=us}} and a width of {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} and an area of {{convert|7.9|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The entire island is a massive [[stratovolcano]] which rises from the ocean floor to a height of {{convert|857|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level,<ref name=gvp>{{cite gvp | vn=284150 | title=Asuncion}}</ref> which last erupted in 1906.

⚫
The volcano is asymmetrical, with steep northeast slopes terminating in high cliffs. The southwestern slopes are shallower and meet the sea in low cliffs. Coastlines are generally rocky.

=== Vegetation ===
The island is remarkable for having the most well-developed native forest among the Mariana Islands north of Saipan, despite being a relatively young island, owing to its protection from wind on the lee side of the mountain. It features a unique forest type dominated by the endemic tree, ''[[Terminalia rostrata]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Falanruw |first=Marjorie V. C. |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/179706 |title=Vegetation of Asuncion : a volcanic Northern Mariana Island |last2=Falanruw |first2=Marjorie V. C. |date=1989 |publisher=Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station |volume=PSW-28 |location=Berkeley, Calif}}</ref> Other vegetation includes Swordgrass ''([[Miscanthus floridulus]])'' grasslands on the upper slopes, forests of Coconut Palm ''([[Cocos nucifera]]),'' with some '' [[Pandanus]] '' trees and Papaya ''([[Carica papaya]])'' on the lower slopes, along with native ''[[Pisonia]]''.

===Important Bird Area===
The island has been recognized as an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports populations of [[Micronesian megapode]]s, [[white-throated ground dove]]s, [[Micronesian myzomela]]s and [[Micronesian starling]]s.<ref name=bli> {{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/asuncion-island-iba-northern-mariana-islands-(to-usa)|title= Asuncion Island|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 8 February 2021}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of stratovolcanoes]]
* [[List of stratovolcanoes]]
* ''[[Terminalia rostrata]]''


==References==
==References==
* [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-show_geoid=Y&-tree_id=405&-_showChild=Y&-context=dt&-errMsg=&-all_geo_types=N&-mt_name=DEC_2000_IAMP_P001&-redoLog=false&-transpose=N&-search_map_config=|b=50|l=en|t=4001|zf=0.0|ms=sel_00dec|dw=0.9528487917191559|dh=0.6838460131961157|dt=gov.census.aff.domain.map.EnglishMapExtent|if=gif|cx=-67.48042614595042|cy=18.385966173167105|zl=6|pz=6|bo=318:317:316:314:313:323:319|bl=362:393:358:357:356:355:354|ft=350:349:335:389:388:332:331|fl=381:403:204:380:369:379:368|g=04000US72&-PANEL_ID=p_dt_geo_map&-_lang=en&-geo_id=100$10000US690859501001010&-geo_id=100$10000US690859501001011&-geo_id=100$10000US690859501001012&-geo_id=100$10000US690859501001013&-geo_id=100$10000US690859501001014&-geo_id=100$10000US690859501001015&-geo_id=100$10000US690859501001016&-CONTEXT=dt&-format=&-search_results=04000US69&-ds_name=DEC_2000_IAMP Asuncion Island: Blocks 1010 thru 1016, Block Group 1, Census Tract 9501, Northern Islands Municipality, United States Census Bureau]
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category| Asuncion Island}}
{{commons category| Asuncion Island}}
* {{Wayback|url=http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/asuncion.php|title=oceandots.com|date=20101223043232}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/asuncion.php |title=oceandots.com |access-date=2009-03-14 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/asuncion.php |archive-date=2010-12-23 }}
* [http://islands.unep.ch/ILY.htm#3 UN earthwatch info on island]
* [http://islands.unep.ch/ILY.htm#3 UN earthwatch info on island] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214024808/http://islands.unep.ch/ILY.htm#3 |date=2022-02-14 }}
* [http://gaebler.info/sonstiges/marianen.htm#asuncion Pascal Horst Lehne and Christoph Gäbler: ''Über die Marianen.'' Lehne-Verlag, Wohldorf in Germany 1972.]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140427193501/http://gaebler.info/sonstiges/marianen.htm#asuncion Pascal Horst Lehne and Christoph Gäbler: ''Über die Marianen.'' Lehne-Verlag, Wohldorf in Germany 1972.]
* {{cite gvp|name=Asuncion|vn=284150}}
* Volcanism [http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0804-15=]


{{Former German colonies}}
{{Former German colonies}}
Line 71: Line 82:
[[Category:Islands of the Northern Mariana Islands|Agrihan]]
[[Category:Islands of the Northern Mariana Islands|Agrihan]]
[[Category:Active volcanoes]]
[[Category:Active volcanoes]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of the Northern Mariana Islands]]
[[Category:Holocene stratovolcanoes]]

Latest revision as of 20:46, 11 May 2024

For similarly named places, see Asunción (disambiguation).
Asuncion
US Geological survey photo of Asuncion island
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates19°41′33″N 145°24′13″E / 19.69250°N 145.40361°E / 19.69250; 145.40361
ArchipelagoNorthern Mariana Islands
Area7.86 km2 (3.03 sq mi)[1]
Length3.3 km (2.05 mi)
Width3 km (1.9 mi)
Highest elevation857 m (2812 ft)
Highest pointMount Asuncion
Administration
United States
CommonwealthNorthern Mariana Islands
Demographics
Population0 (2010)

Asuncion (from Spanish meaning "assumption" in reference to the Spanish explorers belief in the "Assumption" of the Holy Virgin Mary) is an island in the Northern Mariana Islands chain in the Pacific Ocean. The island is uninhabited. Asuncion is situated 101 kilometers (63 mi) northwest of Agrihan and 37 km (23 mi) southeast of the Maug Islands.[2]

History[edit]

From a European perspective Asuncion was discovered in 1669 by the Spanish missionary Diego Luis de San Vitores who gave it its present name (Assumption of Mary in Spanish). It is likely that it was previously visited in 1522 by the Spanish sailor Gonzalo de Vigo, deserter from the Magellan expedition in 1521, and also the first European castaway in the history of the Pacific.[3] In 1695, the native Chamorros were forcibly removed to Saipan, and three years later to Guam.

Asuncion was ceded by Spain to Germany through the German–Spanish Treaty (1899), together with the rest of the Mariana Islands (except Guam). The formalities of the cession were carried out on November 17, 1899, in Saipan, for all the Northern Mariana Islands.

Following the sale of the Northern Marianas by Spain to the German Empire in 1899, Asuncion was administered as part of German New Guinea. In 1903, the island was leased to a Japanese company, who hunted birds for feathers for export to Japan, and from there to Paris. Six Japanese hunters died on the island in 1910 from illness.

During World War I, Asuncion came under the control of the Empire of Japan and was subsequently administered as the South Seas Mandate. Following World War II, the island came under the control of the United States and was administered as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Since 1978, the island has been part of the Northern Islands Municipality of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

In 1985, per the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the island was designated as a wilderness area for the protection and conservation of natural resources. Since 2009, the island has been part of Marianas Trench Marine National Monument of the United States.

Geography[edit]

Map including Asuncion Island (DMA, 1983)
Asuncion Island

Asuncion is a densely forested island, roughly elliptical in shape, with a length of 3.3 kilometers (2.1 mi) and a width of 3 km (1.9 mi) and an area of 7.9 km2 (3.1 sq mi). The entire island is a massive stratovolcano which rises from the ocean floor to a height of 857 m (2,812 ft) above sea level,[4] which last erupted in 1906.

The volcano is asymmetrical, with steep northeast slopes terminating in high cliffs. The southwestern slopes are shallower and meet the sea in low cliffs. Coastlines are generally rocky.

Vegetation[edit]

The island is remarkable for having the most well-developed native forest among the Mariana Islands north of Saipan, despite being a relatively young island, owing to its protection from wind on the lee side of the mountain. It features a unique forest type dominated by the endemic tree, Terminalia rostrata.[5] Other vegetation includes Swordgrass (Miscanthus floridulus) grasslands on the upper slopes, forests of Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera), with some Pandanus trees and Papaya (Carica papaya) on the lower slopes, along with native Pisonia.

Important Bird Area[edit]

The island has been recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports populations of Micronesian megapodes, white-throated ground doves, Micronesian myzomelas and Micronesian starlings.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "15 ASUNCION" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 53. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Mariana Islands - Asuncion". 2009-07-07. Archived from the original on 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  3. ^ Coello, Francisco "Conflicto hispano-alemán" Boletín de Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid, t.XIX. 2º semestre 1885, Madrid, p.233,301.
  4. ^ "Asuncion". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
  5. ^ Falanruw, Marjorie V. C.; Falanruw, Marjorie V. C. (1989). Vegetation of Asuncion : a volcanic Northern Mariana Island. Vol. PSW-28. Berkeley, Calif: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station.
  6. ^ "Asuncion Island". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Asuncion Island.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asuncion_Island&oldid=1223390608"