Ootu Peninsula
Encyclopedia
The Ootu Peninsula, though connected to the main island of Aitutaki
atoll
of the Cook Islands
, may in many respects be considered as one of the reef
islands, being the largest and longest of them. It is located at the northern end of the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon
to the north and then west of the northernmost true reef island, Akitua
, from which is separated by a channel 50 metres wide and less than two metres deep. The southernmost point of the peninsula is called Aumoana. The northernmost point of the peninsula, Teaumera, is also the northernmost point of Aitutaki as a whole. In the northeast is Kopu a Ruatapu, a boat passage through the fringing coral reef.
The peninsula is 3.25 km long north-south, and has an area of 1.75 km2. It is 400 metres wide on the average, with a minimum of 250 metres. At its widest, where it joins the main island, it reaches 750 metres in with. By comparison, Tekopua
, the largest true reef island of Aitutaki, is 2.25 km long and 0.71 km2 in area.
The seaward beach crest on the east side rises 2 to 3 metres above high water, and the surface slopes gently to the lagoon in the east. There are no dune
s except at the southern end. The reef sediments of Ootu have been measured to be 13 to 20 metres thick.
The Ootu Peninsula is the site of Aitutaki Airport
. The longer 1804 meter runway in the southeast intersects a second runway of 1388 meters to the northwest, along the northern shore, which is not in use anymore. The airport was constructed during World War II. Thereby, much of the vegetation had to be cleared. Only along the western shore towards the lagoon, and on the south of the longer runway, original vegetations remains relatively undisturbed, although there have been some holiday resort developments, such as the Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas.
Ootu Peninsula is part of Vaitupa District, one of eight districts of Aitutaki. The district consist of two tapere
, Taakarere in the northwest and Vaitupa in the southeast. The peninsula is likewise divided between the two tapere, with the narrower southeastern part falling within the tapere of Vaitupa, and the larger northwestern part within the tapere of Taakarere.
Aitutaki
Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura, Ararau and Utataki, is one of the Cook Islands, north of Rarotonga. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital is Arutanga on the west side.-Geography:Aitutaki is an "almost...
atoll
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
of the Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
, may in many respects be considered as one of the reef
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....
islands, being the largest and longest of them. It is located at the northern end of the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
to the north and then west of the northernmost true reef island, Akitua
Akitua
Akitua is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is a tiny islet on the northeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon. It is apparently owned by the Aitutaki Lagoon resort & Spa , a 5 star hotel equipped with luxury bungalows, restaurant and bar...
, from which is separated by a channel 50 metres wide and less than two metres deep. The southernmost point of the peninsula is called Aumoana. The northernmost point of the peninsula, Teaumera, is also the northernmost point of Aitutaki as a whole. In the northeast is Kopu a Ruatapu, a boat passage through the fringing coral reef.
The peninsula is 3.25 km long north-south, and has an area of 1.75 km2. It is 400 metres wide on the average, with a minimum of 250 metres. At its widest, where it joins the main island, it reaches 750 metres in with. By comparison, Tekopua
Tekopua
Tekopua is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the southeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon between the smaller islands of Muritapua and Tapuaetai, seven kilometres to the southeast of the main island of Aitutaki....
, the largest true reef island of Aitutaki, is 2.25 km long and 0.71 km2 in area.
The seaward beach crest on the east side rises 2 to 3 metres above high water, and the surface slopes gently to the lagoon in the east. There are no dune
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
s except at the southern end. The reef sediments of Ootu have been measured to be 13 to 20 metres thick.
The Ootu Peninsula is the site of Aitutaki Airport
Aitutaki Airport
Aitutaki Airport is an airport on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands . The airport was originally constructed by the United States and New Zealand militaries during World War II. The runway recently underwent a $3.8 million upgrade.The "terminal" building at Aitutaki Airport is basically a roof with no...
. The longer 1804 meter runway in the southeast intersects a second runway of 1388 meters to the northwest, along the northern shore, which is not in use anymore. The airport was constructed during World War II. Thereby, much of the vegetation had to be cleared. Only along the western shore towards the lagoon, and on the south of the longer runway, original vegetations remains relatively undisturbed, although there have been some holiday resort developments, such as the Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas.
Ootu Peninsula is part of Vaitupa District, one of eight districts of Aitutaki. The district consist of two tapere
Tapere
A tapere or sub-district is a low level of traditional land subdivision on five of the Lower Cook Islands , comparable to the ahupua'a of the main Hawaiian Islands. Among the populated raised islands, only Mitiaro is not subdivided into tapere...
, Taakarere in the northwest and Vaitupa in the southeast. The peninsula is likewise divided between the two tapere, with the narrower southeastern part falling within the tapere of Vaitupa, and the larger northwestern part within the tapere of Taakarere.