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Temotu Province is the far east of the country. It comprises some large islands such as the Santa Cruz Islands, which host the Provincial centre Lata, serviced by Solomon Airlines, and some other island groups including the Reef Islands, Duff Islands and the remote Polynesian islands of Tikopea and Anuta.
Low tide on the reef, Temotu Province. (1) |
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The
small 3.5-km-wide island of Tinakula is the exposed summit of a massive
stratovolcano that rises 3-4 km from the sea floor at the NW end of the
Santa Cruz islands. Tinakula resembles Stromboli volcano in containing
a breached summit crater that extends from the 851-m-high summit to below
sea level. Landslides enlarged this scarp in 1965, creating an embayment
on the NW coast.
Tikopea, Polynesian island in the far east of the Province. (1) |
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The satellitic cone of Mendana is located on the SE side. Tinakula has
frequently been observed in eruption since the era of Spanish exploration
began in 1595. In about 1840, an explosive eruption apparently produced
pyroclastic flows that swept all sides of the island, killing its inhabitants.
Frequent historical eruptions have originated from a cone constructed
within the large breached crater. These have left the upper flanks of
the volcano and the steep apron of lava flows and volcaniclastic debris
within the breach unvegetated. (From the Global
Volcanism Report)
M.V. Southern Cross, the inter-island ferry arriving in Temotu Province. (1) |
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Tikopean Dance Troupe performing in Honiara.(2) |
