Minami-Torishima Island

Researchers recently discovered a vast deposit of approximately 230 million metric tons of rare earth minerals, vital for manufacturing electric car batteries, beneath the seabed off the coast of Minami-Torishima Island.

About Minami-Torishima Island:

1. Also known as Marcus Island, Minami-Torishima Island is a remote Japanese coral atoll located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
2. It is the easternmost territory of Japan and the only Japanese territory situated on the Pacific Plate, beyond the Japan Trench, approximately 1,950 km southeast of central Tokyo.
3. The island has a distinct equilateral triangle shape.
4. It is formed by an elevated coral reef, measuring approximately 2 kilometers on each side, creating a perimeter of around 6 kilometers.
5. The terrain is predominantly flat, with a maximum elevation of 9 meters above sea level. However, beyond the reef, there is a steep cliff approximately 1,000 meters deep, and the surrounding waters reach depths of up to 6,000 meters at their deepest point.
6. Climate: Located in the transitional zone between tropical and subtropical climates, the island experiences an oceanic climate with an average annual temperature of approximately 25.6 °C.
7. The exclusive economic zone of Minami-Torishima Island encompasses an area of around 430,000 square kilometers, based on the baseline of the island, which is larger than Japan's land area.

What is an Atoll?

1. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets surrounding a body of water called a lagoon.
2. Sometimes, atolls and lagoons protect a central island. Channels between islets allow for the exchange of water between the lagoon and the open ocean or sea.

Must Check: Best IAS Coaching In Delhi