Motu One (Marquesas Islands)

For the island named "Motu One" among the Society Islands, see Motu One (Society Islands).

Motu One
Image of northwestern Marquesas Islands. Motu One and its lagoon are the pale blue oval shape in the upper right. Image courtesy of Johnson Space Center.
Country	France French Polynesia
Archipelago	Marquesas Islands
Region	South Pacific Ocean
Area	negligible km²
Coastline	km
Highest elevation	less than 3 m
Population  - Density	0 ppl. (2002) 0 ppl./km²

Motu One (Marquesan for "Sand Island"; in French the islands are sometimes called Îlots du Sable) is the name of two small sandy islands on the western edge of a coral reef. At approximately 7°51′S 140°23′W / 7.85°S 140.38°W / -7.85; -140.38, it is the northernmost of the Marquesas Islands, located about 30 km (18 mi.) northeast of Eïao and 15 km (9 mi.) northeast of Hatutu.

Motu One is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Nuku-Hiva, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands.

The reef is approximately 5 km (3 mi.) in diameter, and the islands rise only a few feet above sea level. The only vegetation is low-growing shrubs and grasses. Sea turtles and a wide variety of seabirds nest on the islands.

Although Motu One was reportedly visited by Marquesans, primarily on egg-collecting missions, there is no archaeological evidence that they were ever inhabited. The first Westerners to sight the islands were on the 1813-1814 voyage of the American commander Commodore David Porter, who named the island Lincoln Island. Subsequent explorers also called the islands Sand Island(s). Since 1992, the whole reef and island ecosystem have been protected as the Motu One Reserve.

See also

• French Polynesia
• Marquesan Nature Reserves