Erica Reef Explained

Disputed:yes
Type:atoll
Erica Reef
Other Names:Enola Reef
Terumbu Siput (Malay)
Gabriela Silang Reef (Philippine English)
Bahura ng Gabriela Silang (Filipino)
Đá Én Ca (Vietnamese)
簸箕礁 Bòji Jiāo (Chinese)
Pushpin Map:Spratly Islands relief
Location:South China Sea
Coordinates:8.1°N 114.1436°W
8.1°N 114.1436°W
Archipelago:Spratly Islands
Country Admin Divisions Title:State
Country Admin Divisions:Sabah
Country1 Admin Divisions Title:City
Country1 Admin Divisions:Sansha, Hainan
Country2 Admin Divisions Title:State
Country2 Admin Divisions:Sabah
Country3 Admin Divisions Title:Municipality
Country3 Admin Divisions:Kalayaan, Palawan
Country4 Admin Divisions Title:Municipality
Country4 Admin Divisions:Cijin, Kaohsiung
Country5 Admin Divisions Title:District
Country5 Admin Divisions:Trường Sa, Khánh Hòa

Erica Reef, also known as Enola Reef; Malay: '''Terumbu Siput'''|lit=Shell Reef; Gabriela Silang Reef (Filipino; Pilipino: Bahura ng Gabriela Silang|lit=); Vietnamese: đá Én Ca; Mandarin, is located in the SW of Dangerous Ground, 24km east-northeast of Mariveles Reef in the Spratly Islands.[1] It is small, almost circular, with an outside radius about 1 km. It dries entirely at low tide, enclosing a shallow lagoon. A few rocks remain visible on the east side at high water but there is no obvious point of reference. The lagoon is too shallow to be of much interest and the outer reef is a steep slope rather than a drop-off, but it descends into very deep water. Healthy stony corals harbouring a myriad of reef creatures descend into the depths and many shoals of semi-pelagic fish are seen in the clear visibility. On each reef the south walls are precipitous while their other boundaries are slopes, the walls are a result of prevailing currents and the direction of maximum sunlight encouraging coral growth.

It is one of the areas in the Spratly Islands occupied by Malaysia. The Royal Malaysian Navy has maintained an "offshore naval station" there called "Station Sierra" since 1999.[2] The atoll is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, and Vietnam. The Filipino (Tagalog) name is named after Philippine revolutionary leader, Gabriela Silang.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.oceangrafix.com/chart/zoom?chart=93047 SW Dangerous Ground
  2. Book: Joshua Ho. Sam Bateman. Maritime Challenges and Priorities in Asia: Implications for Regional Security. 15 February 2013. Routledge. 978-1-136-29820-2. 74–.