Aleipata Islands
- ISS006-E-7197
- 09 December 2002
- 22:04 UTC
Situated between 1.1 km and 3.5 km off the coast of eastern Upolu are a small group of four islands, collectively known as the Aleipata Islands. The islands are split in to two distinct groups: the northern pair of Namu'a (0.20 km²) and Fanuatapu (0.15 km²) lie upon the barrier reef of Upolu; 3.5 km to the south, and 1.1 km off Cape Tapaga, are the two southern islands (shown in the above image) of Nu'utele (1.08 km²) and Nu'ulua (0.25 km²). The islands are the eroded remnants of volcanic tuff cones.
They are relatively undisturbed, and provide habitat to several endemic bird species including the Samoan Flycatcher (Myiagra albiventris), Tooth-billed Pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris) and the Friendly/Shy Ground Dove (Gallicolumba stairii).
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center