Rennell Island, Solomon Islands - John Seach (original) (raw)

Rennell Island - John Seach
Rennell and Bellona Province, Solomon Islands

Rennell Island is located 24 km SE of Bellona Island, and is the southern most in the Solomon Islands. It is 200 km South of Guadalcanal. Rennell Island is 80 km long and 40 km wide with an area of 630 sq km.

East Rennell has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the world's largest uplifted coral island and one of the best examples of its type. The uplifted atoll has reached 120 m above sea level and still visible are the outer reef slope, rim, inner lagoon beaches, and old lagoon bar. There is now a narrow fringing reef.

There are no rivers or streams on Rennell Island. Tank water or wells are used for drinking.

Lake Te'Nggano is the largest in the Pacific with an area of 15,500 ha. The lake is 27 km long and 9 km wide and contains brackish water. The western end of the lake contains about 200 islets.

In the lake are the remains of eight Catalina seaplanes sunk during WWII. Several are in shallow water.