Rocas Atoll

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Rocas Atoll, the only atoll in the South Atlantic, is part of Brazil in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. It lies about 260 km (160 miles) northeast of Natal and 145 km (90 miles) west of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago.

Geography and makeup: The atoll is volcanic and coralline in origin. Its oval shape is about 3.7 km (2.3 miles) long and 2.5 km (1.6 miles) wide. The lagoon is up to 6 meters (20 feet) deep and covers about 7.1 square kilometers (2.7 square miles). The land area of the two islets, Cemitério Island to the southwest and Farol Cay to the northwest, is 0.36 square kilometers (89 acres), with Farol Cay making up almost two-thirds of that area. The highest point is a 6-meter sand dune on the southern part of Farol Cay. The islets are covered with grasses, bushes and a few palm trees.

Wildlife and access: The population is made up of crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many birds. There is a lighthouse operated by the Brazilian Navy at the northern end of Farol Bay, in use since the 1960s; there is also a derelict lighthouse from 1933 nearby.

Protection and status: The atoll is a wildlife sanctuary and, since 2001, has been part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site named “Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves.”

Ecology and research: The area is rich in marine life, including turtles, sharks, dolphins and many birds. The atoll consists mainly of coral and red algae. The coral ring is nearly closed, with a 200-meter-wide channel on the north side and a narrower channel on the west side. The Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve encompasses the atoll and surrounding waters and is currently used mainly for scientific research. Its remoteness helps keep human disturbance low, though it also makes access for researchers more difficult. Entomological species have been documented here.