An Introduction to the Tropical Pacific and Types of Pacific Islands

Abstract

The Pacific accounts for about 46% of the Earth's water surface and about one-third of its total surface area, making it larger than all of Earth's land area combined. The tropical portions are dotted with thousands of islands that despite their geographic position differ considerably climatically. A west-to-east decrease in rainfall is particularly notable during a typical year, amidst seasonal shifts in the trade wind-driven Intertropical Convergence Zones. Additional changes are super-imposed by the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which has the effect of moving the rainfall and warm water from west to east, periodically imposing disruptive floods in relatively dry climates, and droughts in areas that are normally wet. Likewise, occasional but destructive cyclonic storm tracks are common north and south of the equator. Islands in the tropical northwestern Pacific are particularly vulnerable to typhoons. High volcanic islands exhibit a distinct climate compared with low coral-line islands and this is reflected in the vegetation found on each. Coral reefs are typi-cal of most tropical islands in the Pacific, but they differ in form that includes fringing, barrier and atoll reefs. A brief description of geological processes that control reef formation and reef islands is also given. Exotic, fabled and layered with history, the thousands of islands that dot the vast expanse of the tropical Pacific are low coral islands, steep volcanic ones, or some-thing in between. Those within the tropical realm, whether continental or true oce-anic islands, have had a very long history of immigration and exploration by distinctive native cultural groups, including some that have become spread over vast distances. However, that history has been indelibly altered by European and American influence during the last few centuries, followed by more recent issues of overfishing, pollution and global warming. This book provides a tour of the past, present and future of the unique features of the tropical Pacific, and focuses on island geography, politics, natural history, geology, anthropology and culture.