1.3+Island+Information

//__Exact Location of Island__//

The coordinates of The Island are as follows:

25deg 06'29.47"S

135 deg 59'59.19" W

//__Water (Lakes, floods, rivers, ocean)__// The lakes on the map are intermittent lakes. When there is water in them it is drinkable but a little brakish- more suitable for animals than humans. The rivers at the western end of The Island are in the part of The Island that receive the heaviest rainfall. They are also in the steepest terrain - which suggests all that water needs to move downhill at a fairly rapid rate. This is particularly the case in the wet season, when rainfall is extreme in the catchment area. Water in the rivers in the higher parts of The Island is safe to drink - in fact it is crystal clear and beautiful to taste, according to the reconnaisance team. Re flooding - there are areas on the map marked as swamps. These areas are prone to flooding. We haven't been on The Island for long enough to have records of what has flooded and what hasn't. There is evidence of cyclone damage to some of the low lying coastal areas near some of the beaches but mostly the evidence of inundation is confined to less than 400 metres from the high tide mark. The ocean depths in this part of the Pacicic are at times extreme. There is a deep ocean trench very close to the last exploration site making exploration very dangerous and requiring specialised equipment to cope with the pressures and temperatures that operate at this depth. The last exploration mission had to stop at a depth of 1500m, but indications are that the trench gets even deeper.



//__Tidal Flows__// The tides are not huge anywhere on The Island. According to our data the difference between high tide and low tide is only 3-4 metres around the entire Island. The tidal surge in the river is also not particularly strong, generating only gentle tidal flows. None of the river mouths are narrow enough nor are the tidal differences big enough to generate strong tidal flows.

//__Flora and Fauna__// The plants ranged in maturity from young saplings (in the case of the trees) to healthy, mature specimens at the height of their growth. Like any tropical rainforest the species diversity is very high, of both flora and fauna, with plants of different species growing densely together. Fruiting trees like papayas and bananas tended to be in greater abundance on the edges of the rainforest and in isolated sections of the forest where there was more sunlight. The larger tree species such as the pines, candlenut, oak (tropical oak not your northern hemisphere deciduous varieties) figs, cedar and tapau grow in abundance in the woodlands and dense tropical jungle. The only species that grows more as a monoculture were the flax plants (which were found in abundance in coastal areas B3 and B8/9) and coconut palms. These were found growing quite thickly along the all the flatter beaches especially C7 and D5/6. Again, bananas and papayas were found growing healthily in amongst the palms back from the beaches. The trees seemed to be fruiting strongly. Pineapple plants were also found scattered among the flax.

//__Importing__// Materials (machinery, etc)/livestock/professionals may be imported onto the island. (In regards to importing professionals)- By all means!! There are not enough Task Force Officers to settle an island of this size, nor do we have the expertise and skills that are required. Your role as members of the Task Force is to plan and oversee the colonisation of The Island, not do everything yourselves!!

//__Rock Types__// The main rock types on The Island are basalt and pumice.

//__Oil__// The offshore oil deposits are significant and well worth the investment in establishing an oil field. Because it is offshore, then deep ocean oil rigs would need to be developed - similar to the ones that BP have in the Gulf of Mexico, or in the North Sea. The ocean where the oil is located is deeper than any other ocean oil field currently under development. This may add to the cost. However, as the price of oil rises in the future as supply is used up, it may be more economical to exploit.

//__U.N Funding__// Regarding funding, the UN has established that it will fund the Island's initial settlement for a period of five years. They have not stipulated where the money is to be spent - that will depend on your recommendations. So far, funds have been allocated to develop the recommended settlements and the development of the infrastructure you have recommended. Funds have also been made available to assist in the establishment of food producing ventures and other industries that the Economists recommend should be set up to generate income for The Island.

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