Te Whanga Lagoon Explained

Te Whanga Lagoon
Image Bathymetry:Chatham Islands from space ISS005-E-15265.jpg
Alt Bathymetry:Chatham Islands from space
Caption Bathymetry:The Chatham Islands from space
Pushpin Map:Chatham Islands
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of Te Whanga Lagoon
Coords:-43.8667°N -204°W
Basin Countries:New Zealand
Area:150km2

Te Whanga Lagoon dominates the geography of Chatham Island, in the South Pacific Ocean off New Zealand's east coast. It covers 160km2.[1]

It is the outflow of several small rivers in the island's hilly south, and drains to the Pacific via gaps in Hanson Bay on the east coast of the island.

It contains many fossilized shark teeth that can be collected from the edges of the lagoon. Over time the lagoon is likely to silt up.[2]

When first described by Dr E Dieffenbach in 1841, the lagoon was only slightly brackish and separated from the sea by a low sand bar and was about 2feet above high tide.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Story: Chatham Islands . . 7 September 2012 . web page. The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . 15 December 2012.
  2. Web site: Story: Chatham Islands . . 7 September 2012 . web page. The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . 15 December 2012.
  3. Web site: A Report on the Nature of Te Whanga Lagoon, and the Way in which it has Changed since 1840. Williams. Gary. June 1995.