Coral
Reef Ecosystem
Buck Island Reef National Monument,
U.S. Virgin Islands This four-meter IKONOS satellite image of
Buck Island Reef National Monument, located 1.5 miles off the northeast
side of the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, clearly
shows an extensive underwater coral reef ecosystem. The reef is
being studied and monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). (Read
the press release). Six thousand feet long and a half-mile wide,
uninhabited Buck Island rises to 340 feet above sea level. The 880-acre
National Monument includes 176 acres of land and 704 acres of water
and coral reef system. First protected in 1948, the area was proclaimed
a national monument in 1961. Many endangered species nest on the
island.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
WINDOWS: Right click on the image, then select "Set as Wallpaper"
MAC: Save image to your hard drive then select it as your background.
