Ardasier Reef

Ardasier Reef
Disputed island
Other names: Guangxingzai Jiao 光星仔礁;
Terumbu Ubi;
Antonio Luna;
đá Kiệu Ngựa
Satellite image of Ardasier Reef by NASA.
Geography
Location South China Sea
Coordinates 7°37′19″N 113°51′39″E / 7.62194°N 113.86083°E / 7.62194; 113.86083Coordinates: 7°37′19″N 113°51′39″E / 7.62194°N 113.86083°E / 7.62194; 113.86083
7°37′19″N 113°51′39″E / 7.62194°N 113.86083°E / 7.62194; 113.86083
Archipelago Spratly Islands
Administered by
Malaysia
Claimed by
People's Republic of China
City Sansha, Hainan
Philippines
Municipality Kalayaan, Palawan
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Municipality Cijin, Kaohsiung
Vietnam
District Truong Sa, Khanh Hoa

Ardasier Reef (7°37′19″N 113°51′39″E / 7.62194°N 113.86083°E / 7.62194; 113.86083), also known as Guangxingzai Jiao (Chinese: 光星仔礁) in China, Terumbu Ubi in Malaysia, Antonio Luna in the Philippines and đá Kiệu Ngựa in Vietnam, is a triangular shaped feature on the SW extremity of Dangerous Ground in the Spratly Islands.[1]

It lies 26km NNE of Swallow Reef, and 9km east of Dallas Reef, with the large Ardasier Bank extending 69 km ENE. Ardasier Bank, a sunken atoll except for drying Ardasier Reef at its southwestern end, has a total area of 2347 km², and its former lagoon is up to 65 metres deep.[2]

Ardasier Reef is steep-to, except on its eastern side where it adjoins the Ardasier Bank. Its huge areas of sandy patches have an abundance of shy Guitar Sharks, Eagle Rays, Giant Reef Rays and other intriguing bottom dwelling creatures that bury themselves in the sand.

The Royal Malaysian Navy has maintained an "offshore naval station" there called "Station Uniform", since 1986.[3]

References

  1. http://www.oceangrafix.com/chart/zoom?chart=93047 SW Dangerous Ground
  2. Table showing Atoll Area, Depth and Rainfall, ftp://rock.geosociety.org
  3. Joshua Ho; Sam Bateman (15 February 2013). Maritime Challenges and Priorities in Asia: Implications for Regional Security. Routledge. pp. 74–. ISBN 978-1-136-29820-2.
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