A remote Hawaiian island in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. recently disappeared. Here are five things you need to know.
ONE: East Island was located in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. One of the largest and most important marine protected areas in the world. It was one of several small sandy islets in a large crescent-shaped reef called French Frigate Shoals, 560 miles northwest of Honolulu.
TWO: French Frigate Shoals is home to abundant wildlife and one of the most significant coral reef ecosystems in the Monument. Over 95% of threatened Hawaiian green sea turtles travel to French Frigate Shoals ever year for safe nesting - roughly 50% nested on East Island.
THREE: In October, a category 3 hurricane passed within 50 miles of French Frigate Shoals and caused significant damage. East Island was almost completely washed away, and the habitat on nearby Tern Island was significantly impacted.
FOUR: This is not the first time islands have become inundated and lost in French Frigate Shoals. Whale-Skate - another small islet in French Frigate Shoals was lost to erosion during the 1990s. And Trig Island, an important Monk seal pupping site, eroded away earlier this year.
FIVE: Scientists are not sure what the long term impacts will be. Seals and turtles have encountered significant changes in islands over time, and can often recover. Next year's monitoring will be critical to assess how wildlife responds.
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