Book chapter
Islands in the Pacific: Settings, Distribution and Classification
Climate Change and Impacts in the Pacific, pp.33-170
Springer Climate (SPCL), Springer Nature Switzerland AG
2020
Abstract
Oceanic islands have a history of being misunderstood by outsiders, commonly marginalized in global synthesis and planning, their considerable diversity often understated. To capture and explain the diversity of islands in the Pacific, a classification is developing using elevation and lithology (rock type) as the highest level criteria. For each of the 1779 islands, defined as ocean-bounded landmasses ≥1 ha (0.01 km2) in area, data were collected on locations and shapes, areas, names, elevations and lithologies. Eight island types were identified-volcanic high islands (≥30 amsl, ≥80% igneous); volcanic low islands (<30 amsl, ≥80% igneous); limestone high islands (≥30 amsl, ≥80% calcareous); limestone low islands (<30 amsl, ≥80% calcareous); reef islands (≥80% unconsolidated sediments); composite high islands (≥30 amsl, <80% igneous, <80% calcareous); composite low islands (<30 amsl, <80% igneous, <80% calcareous); continental (≥80% continental rocks). The broad distribution of each island type in the Pacific can be explained by its geological history. In addition, this classification could be used as an objective basis for assessing island vulnerability to external stressors like climate change or pollution as well as a tool for national/regional planning.
Details
- Title
- Islands in the Pacific: Settings, Distribution and Classification
- Authors
- Patrick Nunn (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastLalit Kumar (Author) - University of New EnglandRoger McLean (Author) - University of New South WalesIan Eliot (Author) - University of Western Australia
- Contributors
- Lalit Kumar (Editor)
- Publication details
- Climate Change and Impacts in the Pacific, pp.33-170
- Series
- Springer Climate (SPCL)
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland AG
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-3-030-32878-8_2; 10.1007/978-3-030-32878-8
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451154902621
- Output Type
- Book chapter
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