VAVAU. 



203 



barrier which separates the Vavau group from the Haapai group to the south 

 (PI. 219). 



It would seem as if the Vavau Plateau attained its greatest elevation on 

 the western face of Vavau ; its terraces, as well as those of all the islands, 

 slope decidedly towards the east. • On the east face of Vavau extend wide 

 reef flats ; on the outer edges, both the eastern and the western, exist high 

 islands, and islets ; sand-bars, patches, and foul ground indicate the extent 

 of denudation and erosion which has taken place over the former Vavau 

 land. 



The general depth of the northern part of Vavau Bank varies from 20 

 to 60 fathoms, and falls olf steeply into deeper water on the west side, close 

 to the 100-fathom line. The bank is somewhat shoaler on its eastern face. 

 The soundings are so irregular that it is impossible to state, except in a 

 general way, that the bank is sloping to the west, while the land seems 

 sloping to the eastward. About half-way between Vavau and the Samoan 

 Islands is situated Niuatobutabu, the highest point of which is 350 feet ; 

 it is an elevated coralliferous island, connected with the northern part of the 

 Tonga group by a ridge the deepest part of which is about 1100 fathoms; 

 the ridge slopes rapidly to the east into deep water ranging from 2500 to 

 over 4500 fathoms.^ 



1 A. Chart iOaS. 



Pylstaart Island. 



