Tema Reef Explained

Tema Reef should not be confused with Tenerife.

-11.0833°N -203°WTema Reef, also called Tima Reef, is a submerged coral reef in the northern island group of the Cook Islands, 23km (14miles) southeast of Pukapuka coral atoll.

No coral or rock shows above water, but the sea breaks heavily over the reef.^[1] Tema Reef measures about 550by, covering a shallow but submerged area of 0.162NaN2.^[2]

History

Legend has it that Tima, an Aitutakian warrior sailed to Nassau, but was chased away by Ngalewu, a chief from Pukapuka. On his return to Aitutaki he passed the reef nearby and named it Te Toka-O-Tima, the Stone of Tima

The reef was sighted by Commodore John Byron on June 21, 1765. Captain William Williams of the missionary ship John Williams sighted the reef on May 15, 1864. It was again examined by in 1880.^{[3] [2]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: THE LINE ISLANDS, THE COOK ISLANDS, THE SAMOA ISLANDS, AND THE TONGA ISLANDS (INCLUDING OFF-LYING ISLANDS AND REEFS) . PDF. Permanent.access.gpo.gov. 14 March 2022.
2. Web site: Pukapuka Island. Janeresture.com. 2 May 2017.
3. Web site: 16. Tima Reef - NZETC. Nzetc.org. 2 May 2017.