DOCSLIB.ORG

Marshall Islands Monitor -- 1 May 2009

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Marshall Islands Monitor -- 1 May 2009 1 May 2009 -- Volume 1, Number 2 MARSHALL ISLANDS RADIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE GROUP BIKINI , ENEWETAK , RONGELAP , UTROK MARSHALL ISLANDS MONITOR A note from the editor Inside this issue The cover photo features the A note from the editor Enewetak Radiological Laboratory —a whole-body counting facility Feature article: used to determine doses of Is there any truth behind the radiation delivered to island residents as a consequence of the secret Bravo map? nuclear test program that took place in the northern Marshall Renewing hopes for full resettlement of Islands from 1946 to 1958. Bikini, Enewetak and Rongelap In addition to Enewetak, Lawrence Whole-body counting technicians receive training Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California helped atoll governments establish whole-body counting The DOE releases fi eld survey report on Runit Dome facilities on Rongelap and Did you know? Majuro islands with the total number of program volunteers Upcoming Events engaged across the three facilities now exceeding 3,000 people. Marshallese technicians are primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of these whole-body counting facilities while scientists from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory provide training, system maintenance, facility upkeep, data quality assurance, and reporting. Terry Hamilton, PhD Editor in Chief Feature Article Is there any truth behind the secret Bravo map? In a March 13, 2009, issue of Marshall Islands vaporize several hundred thousand tons of post detonation (H+1 hour). Consequently, Journal, the authors discuss a map of the soil and associated materials. The amount of there is a fundamental diff erence between infi nite dose contours (in Roentgens) from debris sucked into the atmosphere depends these contour maps that has contributed to the initial U.S. Air Force aerial radiation on the nature and altitude of the test. High the confusion. Also, dose estimates to infi nite survey conducted in the fi rst few hours after temperature vaporization and condensation time should not be confused with actual the Bravo detonation on March 1, 1954. processes produce diff erent types and sizes doses delivered to Marshallese exposed to Reference was made to a newly declassifi ed of radioactive particles that deposit as local radioactive debris from the Bravo test and document that has actually been available for or regional fallout or may be carried into later evacuated. Another radiation dose many years. Commentary was given on the the upper atmosphere and spread around unit that will be used for some comparisons magnitude and the geographical coverage the globe. Forecasting the intensity and is the “Rem” that for the purpose of this of the Air Force dose contours relative to depositional velocity of radioactive debris discussion can be considered equivalent to updated contour maps that appear in most of from large nuclear blasts is a very complex the Roentgen. The other units used in this the scientifi c literature. The updated contour issue. It depends of the size of test, the type discussion will be the milliR (mR) and millirem maps were generated after more detailed and quantity of materials consumed in the (mrem) that are each 1000 times less than the post-shot information became available after blast, localized wind patterns as well as upper rem and the R, respectively. the Bravo event. The authors assert that: atmospheric conditions. It is for this reason The Air Force map shown in the Marshall “What is signifi cant about this Air Force fallout that initial high altitude aerial surveys were Islands Journal was generated in the fi rst contour map, prepared shortly after the 1954 conducted immediately after major test hours after the Bravo detonation. It was based Bravo test, is that it shows a much wider events to confi rm the general direction and on the fi rst aircraft fl yover of the potentially fallout contamination than an offi cial fallout intensity of the radiation fi eld, and then to contaminated area once it was determined map used in numerous reports about Bravo use ground-truth measurements (radiation that the bulk of the debris cloud moved in published since 1954.” detectors, gummed paper, or other) to more an easterly direction. The purpose of the accurately defi ne the fallout pattern on the fl ight was to get a “general” perspective on The remainder of this article provides a ground. This is exactly the pattern of events the debris cloud direction, and provide initial discussion about why the various aerial that followed the Bravo test. estimates of radiation doses and the area contour maps are really quite similar and Characteristics of fallout from encompassed by the deposition. Such actions provides data that show that the extent of the the Bravo test formed part of a regulated military response Bravo fallout was well documented in the fi rst to all major nuclear test denotations. fi ve days after the Bravo detonation. All these Immediate Aerial Data The Air Force developed a later version of data have been available for many years. When viewing the diff erent versions of the the dose contour map after they had more contour maps discussed below it is important Background time to evaluate data obtained during the to understand that diff erent units are used Radioactive debris is an inherent initial fl yover and ground truth data became to denote levels of radiation exposure and characteristic of all nuclear detonations. It available (AFSWP-895). This graph is given in dose. Very careful consideration should originates from the fi ssion of the nuclear mR per hour (as are most of the other contour be given to the radiation units because fuel and from interactions of the explosion maps), rather than infi nite dose as was the otherwise it is very easy to misinterpret with surrounding materials such as soil and case for the original Air Force map. This is the data and, once in the public domain, this version that is more commonly seen (example water. Hundreds of diff erent radioactive can lead to unnecessary public radiation shown in Figure 1) and used in various isotopes are formed during a nuclear hysteria. The Air Force map shown in the publications (AFSWP-895). It has an outside detonation. These radioactive isotopes Marshall Islands Journal gives the radiation contour line of 25 R per hour at H+1 hour (also called radionuclides) are composed data in total “Roentgens (R) of infi nity dose” and of course encompasses very much less of about 35 diff erent elements ranging in whereas the Rand Corporation (Rand), Naval territory than the map in the Marshall Islands half-lives from fractions of a second to 17 Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL), and Journal. The map does show a small segment million years. The energy released from a a later version of the Air Force map, report of the 1 R contour line going through Ailuk large near-surface detonation is suffi cient to the radiation levels as R per hour at 1 hour Continued on next page 2 -- Marshall Islands Monitor Continued from previous page so low the contours encompass a very, very NYOO (New York Operations Offi ce, Atomic Secret Bravo map large area. Energy Commission) Kwajalein fl ight “Able” Atoll. The outside dose rate contours on the In addition to the radiation data generated by covered Lae, Wotho, Rongelap, Taongi, Utirik, commonly seen NRDL and Rand maps are 50 the initial Air Force fl yover there was a report Ailuk, Likiep, Ujae, Ailinginae, Rongerik, Bikar, R per hour and 30 R per hour, respectively, from U.S. personnel at Enewetak Atoll on the Taka, and Jemo Atolls. and encompass less territory but do cover night of March 5, 1954, of radiation levels of NYOO Kwajalein fl ight “Baker” covered Namu, the most contaminated atolls in the Marshall 3 to 4 mR per hour at Enewetak and Medren Namorik, Kili, Mili, Majuro, Maleolap, Wotje, Islands. These H+1 hour dose rates are Islands with a reported maximum of 15 mR Aiglinglaplap, Ebon, Jaluit, Arno, Aur, and decaying (declining) rapidly in the fi rst hours, per hour (Castle Series, 1954). Erikub. days, and weeks after the detonation at a rate NYOO Kwajalein fl ight “Charlie” covered Kusai, Additional Gamma data from aircraft inversely proportional to the time “t” after Mokil, Ujlelang, Pingelap, and Ponape. detonation (1/t1.2). fl y-over of atolls and islands (D to D+5 days) NYOO Guam fl ight “Easy” covered Guam, Truk, The NRDL (Steton et al., 1956) and the Rand Losap, Lukunor, Pulap, Namonuito, Kuop, Corporation (Rand, 1955) both published The initial Air Force contour map and the subsequent NRDL and Rand versions of the Namoluk, Satawan, and Guam (a second revised versions of the initial Air Force fl yover time). data that give the direction of the debris cloud direction and estimated radiation NYOO Oahu fl ight “George” covered Kauai, cloud and the radiation levels on the ground. deposition were initially useful to understand Kaula, Necker Gardner Pinn., Laysan, Pearl- These contour maps were supported by the scope of the problem. But much more Hermes reef, Niihau, Nihoa, Fr. Frigate reef, additional radiation data from aerial fl yovers detailed and precise data were generated in Lisianski, and Midway. and ground truth radiation measurements the fi rst 5 days after the Bravo detonation to at many atolls during the fi rst few days after determine the actual radiation levels across NYOO Oahu fl ight “Item“ covered Oahu, deposition, and wind data collected in the the entire Marshall Islands and the Pacifi c Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai, and Maui. region. hours immediately after detonation by planes NYOO Oahu fl ight “Gilbert” covered Baru, and ships. To better defi ne the extent of the Arorae, Onotoa, Aranka, Tarawa, Marakai, All of these maps have been publicly available contamination and get better data in the Nonouti, Nukunau, Tamana, Tabiteuea, for many years.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Indigenous Encounters
    From Islands to Atoll: Relating Reefs of History at Kwajalein Greg Dvorak 1. Atollism Islands of starvation, islands of abundance, islands of connectedness: the nearly one hundred flat coral islets that form Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, the largest atoll on earth, are a gigantic ring on the water, strung together by a dynamic reef. The lagoon it encloses—indeed the entire atoll—is a microcosm of Oceania, a metaphor for the contradictory and interconnected histories of the contemporary world. I choose Kwajalein to explore the idea of “encounter” not only because it was the site of a major battle of the Pacific War and a place of unfathomable change throughout the twentieth century between Marshall Islanders, Japanese, and Americans; I focus on Kwajalein also because it was my childhood hometown, where I spent the first decade of my life. Because the main island of the atoll is leased to the US Army as a missile-testing base, my early years in American suburbia there provided my first taste of the ways in which huge nations and small localities intersect. Haunted by the ghosts of Japanese soldiers and the lullabies of our Marshallese housekeeper, I knew that this atoll had been home to many others before me, yet I felt linked to those other people through the common idea of home, and through the genealogy of the atoll itself. Coral colonizes: Polyps voyage in the ocean currents, joining with other coral communities atop subaquatic volcanoes that rise miles from the sea floor to break the surface. Their migrations are based on the flows of the sea, and their settlements are serendipitous.
    [Show full text]
  • Feasibility Study GREEN CLIMATE FUND FUNDING PROPOSAL I
    Annex II – Feasibility Study GREEN CLIMATE FUND FUNDING PROPOSAL I FEASIBILITY STUDY Addressing Climate Vulnerability In the Water Sector (ACWA) United Nations Development Programme UNDP On behalf of Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands RMI March 2018 For Submission to the Green Climate Fund EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is a small island developing states (SIDS) consisting of 29 coral atolls and 5 single islands. The nation is a large-ocean state, with approximately 1,225 islands and islets with a total land area of only 182 km2, spread across over 2 million km2 of vast ocean space. Most of the 24 inhabited local government jurisdictions (atolls and islands) are remote and lie merely 2 meters above sea level on average, posing various challenges and risks to sustainable development in face of climate change. RMI’s population in 2017 is estimated as 55,5621, most of which is concentrated in urban atolls of Majuro and Kwajalein (Ebeye)2. Context Climate Change: It is predicted, that RMI will face increasing sea level rise, increasing rainfall variability with potential for extended drought periods and increasing storm surges with climate change3, further aggravating RMI’s vulnerability and more specifically sustainable water supply. These climate change impacts are likely to exacerbate the risks of water shortages in RMI, by further challenging the ability of the Marshallese people to have access to safe freshwater resources year-round. Droughts and storm waves are some of the key climate based events that impact RMI. Climate projections show that in the next twenty-five years, rainfall and drought scenarios in RMI will continue and may increase in the short term4.
    [Show full text]
  • Ground-Water Resources of the Laura Area, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands
    GROUND-WATER RESOURCES OF THE LAURA AREA, MAJURO ATOLL, MARSHALL ISLANDS By Scott N. Hamlin and Stephen S. Anthony U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4047 Prepared in cooperation with the REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS Honolulu, Hawaii 1987 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DONALD PAUL HODEL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Dallas L. Peck, Director For additional information Copies of this report write to: can be purchased from: District Chief, Hawaii District U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey, WRD Books and Open-File Reports Section 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 6110 Federal Center, Bldg. 41 Honolulu, Hawai 96850 Box 25425 Denver, Colorado 80225 CONTENTS Page Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Introduction -------------------------------------------------------- 2 Purpose and scope ---------------------------------------------- 5 Setting -------------------------------------------------------- 5 Previous investigations ---------------------------------------- 6 Acknowledgments ------------------------------------------------ 8 Methods of study ---------------------------------------------------- 8 Surface geophysical survey ------------------------------------- 8 Installation of driven-well network ---------------------------- 8 Test holes and collection of lithologic samples ---------------- 11 Collection of water samples ------------------------------------ 11 Measurements of water levels ----------------------------------- 13 Geohydrologic framework ---------------------------------------------
    [Show full text]
  • Acridoidea and Related Orthoptera (Grasshoppers) of Micronesia
    Micronesica 30(1): 127-168, 1997 Acridoidea and Related Orthoptera (Grasshoppers) of Micronesia D. KEITH McE. KEvAN, VERNON R. VICKERY 1 AND MARY-LYNN ENGLISH Lyman Entomological Museum and Department of Entomology, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada, H9X 3V9. Abstract-The species of grasshoppers of the superfamilies Acridoidea, Tetrigoidea, and Tridactyloidea of Micronesia are discussed with com­ plete data on Micronesian distribution. Two new species of Tetrigidae, Carolinotettix palauensis and Hydrotettix carolinensis, are described. Introduction Preliminary studies towards this contribution to our knowledge of the or­ thopteroid fauna of Micronesia are in an unpublished thesis by the third author (English 1978). Over the years, a considerable amount of additional information has been accumulated and two relevant papers published by the first author. In ad­ dition, there is a paper by the first author, in press, that deals with non-saltatorial orthopteroids. The first of the above publications (Kevan 1987) gives a preliminary survey of virtually all of the saltatorial orthopteroids (grigs) known to occur in Micronesia, as well as defining the limits of the region and giving a brief review of the relevant literature on the insects concerned. It also discusses some important points relating to the nomenclature of some of them. The second publication (Kevan 1990) is concerned with the same groups of insects, but confines its attention, more or less, to known or suspected introduced species (including Acridoidea) and their probable origins. A few non-saltatorial or­ thopteroids are also mentioned in passing. 2 Another paper (Kevan unpublished ) deals very fully with all groups of or­ thopteroids other than members of the saltatorial orders (termites and earwigs in­ cluded), mainly as recorded in the literature, which is extensively reviewed.
    [Show full text]
  • The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States
    STATUSSTATUS OFOF THETHE CORALCORAL REEFSREEFS ININ THETHE PACIFICPACIFIC FREELYFREELY ASSOCIATEDASSOCIATED STATESSTATES CharlesCharles Birkeland,Birkeland, AhserAhser Edward,Edward, YimnangYimnang Golbuu,Golbuu, JayJay Gutierrez,Gutierrez, NoahNoah Idechong,Idechong, JamesJames Maragos,Maragos, GustavGustav Paulay,Paulay, RobertRobert Richmond,Richmond, AndrewAndrew Tafileichig,Tafileichig, andand NancyNancy VanderVander VeldeVelde From east to west, the Freely Associated States 14o N, the Marshalls have a total dry land area of include the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the only about 181.3 km2. However, when the Exclu­ Marshalls or the RMI), the Federated States of sive Economic Zone (by statute, from the shoreline Micronesia (FSM), and the Republic of Palau. The to 200 miles offshore) is figured in, the Republic Federated States of Micronesia – Kosrae, Pohnpei, covers 1,942,000 km2 of ocean within the larger Chuuk, and Yap – along with Palau, are known as Micronesia region. There are 11,670 km2 of sea FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES the Caroline Islands, which are among the longest within the lagoons of the atolls. FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES island chains in the world at 2,500 km. Land only makes up less than 0.01% of the area of All of these Micronesian islands were formerly a the Marshall Islands. Most of the country is the part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands broad open ocean with a seafloor that reaches 4.6 administered by the United States after World War km (15,000 ft). Scattered throughout are nearly a II.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergency Assistance in Support of Food Security Recovery of Drought-Affected Communities
    ©FAO/Marshall Islands EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF FOOD SECURITY RECOVERY OF DROUGHT-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES June 2020 SDGs: Countries: Republic of the Marshall Islands Project Code: TCP/MAS/3601 FAO Contribution: USD 245 000 Duration: 1 October 2017 – 31 December 2019 Contact Info: FAO Representation in the Marshall Islands [email protected] EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF FOOD SECURITY TCP/MAS/3601 RECOVERY OF DROUGHT-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES BACKGROUND The Republic of the Marshall Islands has historically faced numerous challenges with regard to the accessibility of consistent water supplies. In 2015/16, an estimated 21 000 people were affected by severe drought conditions as a result of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. A State of Emergency was declared in March 2016 and support was requested from the World Bank to conduct a Post Disaster Needs Assessment to evaluate the economic effects of the drought, while the Pacific Community was asked to assess key sectors, including agriculture, water and health. The monetary value of the effects of the drought, in early 2016, was estimated at USD 4.9 million. Although this was ©Joel Bujen equivalent to only 3.4 percent of the 2015 gross domestic Implementing Partner product for the country as a whole, the consequences of the drought on agricultural production were critical, Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce. as the agriculture sector is of primary importance to Beneficiaries self-employed communities in outer islands, where the Community leaders, men, women and youth in atolls cultivation and processing of copra, and the sale of fish, affected by drought. bananas, pumpkins and handicrafts are the main sources of cash income.
    [Show full text]
  • Wreck Trips to Bikini Atoll
    Wreck Trips to Bikini Atoll Photo by Jesper Kjøller About Operation Crossroads The Critical Experiment After WWI ended in the early 1900s, and following a mandate from the League of Nation, the Japanese took over the administration of the Marshall Islands. This then resulted in an intensifying of the military presence in the islands, in anticipation of WWII. Bikini, Truk Lagoon, and other low-lying, peaceful coral atolls became strategic points of interest. Life for the Bikini Islanders wasn’t peaceful anymore as the Japanese began building watchtowers to keep an eye out for an American invasion. Bikini Atoll became a key outpost for the Japanese headquarters in the Marshalls. In February 1944, American forces took Kawajalein and the Marshall Islands by force. The Japanese control over the Marshalls was lost. There were five Japanese soldiers left on Bikini. Instead of allowing themselves to be captured, they blew themselves up with a grenade while hiding out in a foxhole. Post WWII, in December 1945, then US President Harry Truman, informed the US Army and Navy that the testing of nuclear weapons would be undertaken “to determine the effect of atomic bombs on American warships.” Unluckily for Bikini, its location and isolation from sea and air routes meant it was chosen as a nuclear testing point, these tests came to be named Operation Crossroads. Commodore Wyatt, then military governor of the Marshall Islands, went to Bikini in February 1946. After church on a Sunday, he gathered the native Bikini Islanders and asked them to leave their home so the US could begin testing bombs.
    [Show full text]
  • Terminal Evaluation: Undp Gef Project (Id 2568) Renewable Energies (Admire)” 12 May 2016
    TERMINAL EVALUATION: UNDP GEF PROJECT (ID 2568) “ACTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARSHALL ISLANDS RENEWABLE ENERGIES (ADMIRE)” 12 MAY 2016 AMITAV RATH i Acknowledgements I am grateful to many people for their cooperation and assistance during the conduct of this evaluation and wish to thank them for providing time for meetings, interviews and for answering many questions in person and by email and phone. Special thanks are due to all the persons (listed in the third annex) who provided time and valuable insights and information and contributed to this evaluation. Special thanks are due to the staff of the Ministry of Resources and Development, Republic of the Marshall Islands for their support during the evaluation mission and to the staff of UNDP in Fiji and Bangkok, who provided many documents, shared their insights and provided full assistance. Individual mention and acknowledgement are due to ‐ Walter Myazoe at MRD, who provided a very wide set of documents on the many different energy related cooperation activities in RMI, without which my understanding of the situation would have been very inadequate; Dolores deBrum Kattil, the Project Manager who provided me with the considerable documentation on the project and made all arrangements for the meetings in RMI; Ned Lobwij at MRD who stepped in to make many interviews and meetings actually happen, as Annex 3. Special acknowledgements are due to Emma Mario, the Environment Programme Analyst at the UNDP Fiji MCO for discussions and additional documents; Thomas Jensen, Energy Programme Specialist at the UNDP Pacific Centre, Fiji, for extensive comments to the first draft; and to Manuel L.
    [Show full text]
  • Radiological Survey Plan for the Northern Marshall Islands
    RADIOLOGICAL SL~VEY PUN FOR THE NORTHER22NJJUXALL IS-LANDS FUDIOLOGICAL SURVEY PIAN FOR THE NORTHERN MARSHALL ISLANDS PART TITLE TAB I PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES 1 II HISTORICAL INFORMATION 2 III SCOPE OF SURVEY 3 A. THE 13 ATOLLS B. ORGANIZATION c. TERRESTRIAL PROGRAM D. MARINE PROGMM E. AERIAL PHOTO AiYDRADIOLOGICAL SURVEY F. SURVEY SCHEDULE A!NDSERIES MAPS IV MILESTONE CHART 4 v AGENCY ASSIGhNENTS 5 DRAFT ME?!OwND~~ OF AGRE~:ENT BETWEEN DEPTS OF THE NAVi, ENERGY, AND INTERIOR VI PUBLIC INFORWTION 6 VII FUNDING 7 . APPENDIX 1 8 FALLOUT FROM PACIFIC TESTS FALLOUT PATTERN-BRAvO EVENT 1954 TAB 1 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES ‘———r m -1— - R/lDrO!.OCIC,f.L SL’R[’EYPUN FOR THE t:ol{i}[ip:::;,RSIL:LLISIJC{DS PURPOSE THE PURPOSE OF THE NORTHERS YX?SHALL ISLASDS SUR?EY PROGWXI 1: TO PROI’IDE A DOCWIEXTAT1OS OF THE R~21:;I:~GRADIOACiII’IH FROX NUCLEAR T] TING ASD TO PROVIDE SLTPORT DATA FOR .x: ASSESWEST OF I%E MDI.ITION DO: TO PEOPLE BEFORE THE TEFC’:IXATIOSOF THE LTITE2 XATIOXS TRUST AGR1 ?IEXT. OBJECTIVES THE OBJECTItTS OF THE PRC)GFW:ARE: 1. TO OBTAIN AERIAL ?.~DIOLOGIC.i L }L!?S OF il!EXORTHEN: :.’NRSHAI ATOLLS, AND ISW(DS , A study has identified 11 atolls and 2 islands as those most likely to have received fallout from o or more nuclear tests conduc~ea at Bikini and Ene during the L.S. Pacific testing program. 2. TO SA~lPLEND ?IE.4SURETHE lUDIOACTIVI~ IS SOIL, WATER, PL :T LIFE AND FOOD, ADJACEST YLARIXEh’ATIRS,AXD MARIXE MD TEFLRESTRL .
    [Show full text]
  • Wotje Report Sites of Wotje Atoll
    ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND INVENTORY OF SUBMERGED RESOURCES IN THE LAGOON OF WOTJE ATOLL WOTJE REPORT SITES OF WOTJE ATOLL AUGUST 2000 PREPARED FOR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE, REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS P.O. Box 1454 Majuro Marshall Islands MH 96960 PREPARED BY MATTHEW B. HOLLY MARSHALL ISLANDS AQUATICS P.O.Box 319 Majuro Marshall Islands MH 96960 E-Mail <[email protected]> ACKNOWLEDGMENTS WOTJE SURVEY This work was accomplished with the help of many people, both SCUBA and non-divers alike. I must again thank Richard Williamson, Chief Archeologist for the Marshall Islands Historic Preservation Office, for his assistance and many comments concerning the construction of this survey report. The Wotje site survey portion of this report was accomplished with the assistance of Mr. Johnny Damron, Captain of the "Isis", Mr. Aki Mike, my long time diving partner, Wotje Senator Mr. Litokwa Tomeing, Wotje Mayor Mr. Joe Hanchor, and Iroijlaplap Remius Hermious. The research portion was aided by Mr. Alan Carey, author of "Reluctant Raiders", who also provided some last minute advice on finding a lost PB4Y, and Mr. Satoshi Yoshii and Kim Kowata for their helpful Japanese to English translations. The oral information provided which helped me locate sites or research archival stories is credited in the bibliography, as the information that was acquired from many sources referred to in this report. All current photographs were taken by me or my employees, and any archival photos or drawings used were from my reference library and given reference and credit. All equipment used underwater and for the building of this survey and report is listed in the appendix.
    [Show full text]
  • Atoll Research Bulletin No. 330 a Review of The
    ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN NO. 330 A REVIEW OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS BY F. RAYMOND FOSBERG ISSUED BY NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. January 1990 A REVIEW OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS F. RAYMOND FOSBERG This review was prepared on very short notice, to provide a summary of what is known to the reviewer at the time, June 1988, about the natural phenomena of the Marshall Islands. This was for the use of the members of the survay team sent to the Marshalls by the Environmentand Policy Institute of the East-West Center, Honolulu. Their mission was to investigate the remaining relatively natural areas and the extent of biodiversity in the new Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Marshall Archipelago has been the habitat of Aboriginal man for many hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years. Hence there is very little, if any, undisturbed land remaining. Since the coming of the Europeans, in the 19th Century, and especially in the years 1940 to the present, the disturbance and change have been greatly intensified. On four of the Atolls, namely, Eniwetok, Bikini, Kwajalein, and Majuro, the alteration has been catastrophic. Change is so rapid that even a superficial account of what was observed during the early and mid 1950's seems worth placing on permanent record. This account is definitely not the results of a systematic literature search, but merely what is stores in the reviewer's head and in his notebooks, with such additions as are acknowkedged in the text.
    [Show full text]
  • CATCHING the DRIFT: Impacts of Oceanic Drift Material in the Marshall Islands
    MICRONESIAN JOURNAL OF THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Vol. 5, nº 1/2 Combined Issue November 2006 CATCHING THE DRIFT: Impacts of Oceanic Drift Material in the Marshall Islands Nancy Vander Velde and Brian Vander Velde Majuro, Marshall Islands The Marshall Islands, situated in the Central Pacific, are far from any major landmass. However, by means of oceanic drift, they are connected with virtually all the Pacific. This paper reviews how the types of drift from various areas have impacted the lives of people on the Marshall Islands. The local language, canoe construction, tools, food, agriculture and other aspects of the culture have been influenced by oceanic drift, with the effects continuing to the present The Marshall Islands, located from between with the help of humans. All other plants likely 160º to 173º east and 4º to 14º north, lie thou- came by traveling the waves. sands kilometers in all directions from any ma- The proportion of plant species which likely jor mass of land. Geologically the 29 atolls and came through oceanic drift is quite high when 5 solitary coral islands1, which constitute this compared with other islands. After Krakatau country, are figured to be quite young, prob- was devastated in 1883, the restoration process ably only coming to a point where they could began a little over a year later with a “few be colonized by land species three- to four- blades of grass.” Although the nearest unaffec- thousand years ago. Furthermore, it was likely ted land was comparatively near, being only only about two-thousand years ago when hu- about 40 km away, early plant recolonization mans were able to colonize the land (NBTRMI consisted of many species which spread via 2000, pp.
    [Show full text]