Ardasier Reef

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

Ardasier Reef
Disputed island
Other names: Guangxingzai Jiao 光星仔礁;
Terumbu Ubi;
Antonio Luna;
đá Kiêu Ngựa
Satellite image of Ardasier Reef by NASA.
Geography
LocationSouth China Sea
Coordinates7°37′19″N 113°51′39″E
7.62194°N 113.86083°E / 7.62194; 113.86083
ArchipelagoSpratly Islands
Administered by
Malaysia
Claimed by
People's Republic of China
CitySansha, Hainan
Philippines
MunicipalityKalayaan, Palawan
Republic of China (Taiwan)
MunicipalityCijin, Kaohsiung
Vietnam
DistrictTrường Sa, Khánh Hòa

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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