Rocas Atoll
Rocas Atoll ( Atol das Rocas) is an
atoll in the
Atlantic Ocean at location . It is part of
Rio Grande do Norte state,
Brazil.
The oval-shaped atoll is 3.7 km long and 2.5 km wide. The
lagoon is up to 6 m deep and has an area of 7.5 km
2. The land area (two islets on the West side, Cemitério Island and Farol Cay) is 0.36 km
2. The highest point is a sand
dune in the South of larger Farol Cay, with a height of 6 meters. Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a few
palm trees. There are crabs, spiders, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many species of birds.
There is a lighthouse of the Brazilian coast guard that has been in operation and maintained since the
1960s, at the Northern end of Farol Cay. In its vicinity is a derelict lighthouse from 1933.
The atoll is a wildlife sanctuary, and in 2001 was designated by
UNESCO as a
World Heritage Site. Numerous
turtles,
sharks,
dolphins and
birds live in the area. The atoll consists mainly of
coral and red
algae. The coral ring is almost closed, with a 200 m wide channel on the North side and a much narrower channel on the West side.
*
Sigep - Brazilian Commission of Geological and Palaeobiological Sites (
English/
Portuguese) detailed description, with maps and pictures]
*
UNESCO - World Heritage (English)
*
Further information (German)
