Banc du Geyser

Summary

Banc du Geyser (also Banc du Geysir) is a mostly submerged reef in the Mozambique Channel's northeastern part, 125 km (78 mi) northeast from Mayotte, 112 km (70 mi) southwest of the Glorioso Islands and 200 km (124 mi) off the northwestern coast of Madagascar.

Banc du Geyser
Disputed reef
Satellite image of Banc du Geyser (center) with Mayotte (left), the Glorioso Islands (top right) and Madagascar (bottom right)
Map showing the location of Banc du Geyser, in the northeast of the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and Africa
Map showing the location of Banc du Geyser, in the northeast of the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and Africa
Banc du Geyser
Other namesBanc du Geysir, Arecife de Santo Antonio
Geography
LocationMozambique Channel
Coordinates12°19′12″S 46°27′00″E / 12.32000°S 46.45000°E / -12.32000; 46.45000
ArchipelagoComoro Islands
Length8 km (5 mi)(low tide only)
Width5 km (3.1 mi)(low tide only)
Highest elevation8 m (26 ft)
Highest pointSouth Rock
Administration
Claimed by
Demographics
Population0

Description edit

The Banc is a dangerous oval-shaped reef 8 km (5 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide that becomes exposed only at low tides, with the exception of some rock formations in the southern part of the reef. The rocks are generally 1.5 to 3 m (5 to 10 ft) in height; the largest is South Rock, with a height of 8 m (26 ft), similar to a boat under sail.

In the eastern part of the reef there are some sandy cays, 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) in height covered with grass and small bushes. The entrance into the central lagoon is possible from a south-southeastern direction. There is an abundance of seabirds, and the cays are covered in tons of guano.

About 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Geysir is Zélée Bank, a deep submarine feature.

History edit

The Geysir Reef was first known by Arab sailors around the year 700, and was shown on some navigation-charts dated around 800. Around 1650 the reef was shown on Spanish maps as Arecife de Santo Antonio. The current name was given on 23 December 1678, when a British vessel, Geysir, ran on the reef.

France and the Comoros claim the Banc du Geyser as part of their exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The reef is also claimed by Madagascar. From the French point of view, it is a part of the EEZ of Glorioso Islands, one of their Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. Madagascar announced its annexation in 1976, presumably because of the possibility of oil fields in the vicinity but the Banc du Geyser is controlled in fact by the French forces armées de la zone sud de l'océan Indien.

In 2012, France included the reef in the parc naturel marin des Glorieuses, a marine protected area, to preserve the endangered flora and fauna of the Glorioso Islands.

External links edit

  • "Satellite images of Banc du Geysir". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  • Sailing Directions: East Africa and the South Indian Ocean. Accessed 30 September 2022.