Banc du Geyser, Disputed reef in Mozambique Channel, Indian Ocean
Banc du Geyser is an oval-shaped reef in the Mozambique Channel extending roughly 8 kilometers in length and 5 kilometers in width. Rock formations rise approximately 8 meters above water during low tide.
Arab sailors discovered the reef around 700 CE and recorded it on navigation charts by 800 CE. Spanish maps from the 1600s labeled it as Arecife de Santo Antonio.
Several nations claim rights over this reef, leading to discussions about control and use of ocean resources in the area. These competing claims reflect the region's complex maritime history.
The central lagoon allows vessel entry from the south-southeastern direction, enabling navigation around the reef. Low tide periods require particular attention to exposed rocks and shallow areas.
The eastern section features sandy cays with grass and small bushes that serve as nesting sites for seabirds. Large quantities of guano deposited there make these areas ecologically significant.
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