Summary
Kanmurijima (冠島) is an island in the Sea of Japan administered under Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture. It is about 2 km from Kutsujima, a similar smaller island. Nakatsu reef (中津ぐり, Nakatsu-guri) is located just midway between islands. A breeding ground for streaked shearwaters, the island was designated a Japanese natural monument (天然記念物, tennen-kinenbutsu) in 1924. It has also been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.[2] Currently, the island is designated as Kanmurijima-Kutsujima wildlife protection area and any landing is prohibited. A recreational diving service is available though.[3]
Native name: 冠島 Kanmurijima Nickname: Oshima or Yushima[1] | |
|---|---|
  Kanmurijima Island Location in Japan | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Sea of Japan |
| Coordinates | 35°40′50″N 135°25′35″E / 35.68056°N 135.42639°E |
| Archipelago | no |
| Area | 0.223 km2 (0.086 sq mi) |
| Length | 1.3 km (0.81 mi) |
| Width | 0.5 km (0.31 mi) |
| Coastline | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 169.7 m (556.8 ft) |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Prefecture | Kyoto Prefecture |
| City | Maizuru |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
History edit
According to records of Tango no kuni fudoki, Kanmurijima and Kutsujima are the remains of a much larger island which submerged following an earthquake in 701 A.D. The topography of the seafloor seems to support the claim, as the steep 60-metre cliff is located underwater off the eastern coast of Kanmurijima and Kutsujima, indicating a recent crustal fault.
See also edit
References edit
- Kyoto Prefecture (in Japanese).