View source for Alamagan

{{Short description|Island in the Northern Marianas island chain}}
{{Infobox Islands
| name             = Alamagan
| image_name       = Alamagan Island in North Marianas 2015.jpg
| image_caption    = Alamagan
| image_size       =
| map_image        = Mariana Islands - Alamagan.PNG
| map_caption      = 
| native_name      =Alamagan 
| native_name_link = 
| nickname         = 
| location         = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| coordinates      = {{Coord|17|36|2|N|145|50|0|E}}
| archipelago      = [[Northern Mariana Islands]]
| total_islands    =
| major_islands    =
| area_km2          = 12.96
| area_footnotes    = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://origin-apps-pifsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/cred/hmapping/monitoring_report_mariana_archipelago_2003-2007/ch12_alamagan.pdf|title=12 ALAMAGAN|website=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|page=52|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115131705/https://origin-apps-pifsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/cred/hmapping/monitoring_report_mariana_archipelago_2003-2007/ch12_alamagan.pdf|archive-date=15 November 2020|url-status=live|access-date=15 November 2020}}</ref>
| length_km         = 4.8
| width_km          = 4
| coastline_km      = 
| highest_mount     = Bandeera Peak
| elevation_m        = 744 
| country            = United States
| country_admin_divisions_title = Commonwealth
| country_admin_divisions = [[Northern Mariana Islands]]
| population       = 1 
| population_as_of = 2020
| density_km2      =
| ethnic_groups    =
| additional_info  =
}}

'''Alamagan''' is an island in the [[Northern Mariana Islands]] in the [[Pacific Ocean]], {{convert|30|km|nmi|0}} north of [[Guguan]], {{convert|250|km|nmi|0}} north of [[Saipan]], and {{convert|60|km|nmi|0}} south of [[Pagan (island)|Pagan]]. It is currently undergoing resettlement since 2018, with a few people living there. The project was coordinated by the Northern Islands Mayor's office and the people there have radio contact with the mainland.

==History==
Alamagan was once settled by the [[Chamorros]], who left behind archaeological evidence including stone columns (called [[latte stone]]s) and ceramics.<ref>Dirk HR Speenemann: ''[http://marshall.csu.edu.au/MJHSS/Issue2006/MJHSS2006_131.pdf Combining Curiosity with Political Skill: The Antiquarian Interests and Cultural Politics of Georg Fritz.]'' In: ''Micronesian journal of the humanities and social sciences'', 2006(5), S. 495–504, hier S. 498.</ref> From a European perspective, Alamagan was discovered in 1669 by the Spanish missionary [[Diego Luis de San Vitores]], who named it ''Concepción'' ([[Immaculate Conception]] in Spanish). It is likely that it was previously visited in 1522 by the Spanish sailor [[Castaway|Gonzalo de Vigo]], a deserter from the [[Ferdinand Magellan|Magellan]] expedition in 1521 and the first European castaway in the history of the Pacific.<ref>Coello, Francisco "Conflicto hispano-alemán" ''Boletín de Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid'', t.XIX. 2º semestre 1885, Madrid, p.233,301.</ref> In 1695, Alamagan's natives were forcibly removed to [[Saipan]], and three years later to [[Guam]].

Following the sale of the Northern Marianas by Spain to the [[German Empire]] in 1899, Alamagan was administered as part of [[German New Guinea]]. During this time, a private firm, the Pagan Society, owned by a German and a Japanese partner, developed more coconut plantations. However, severe typhoons in September 1905, September 1907 and December 1913 destroyed the plantations and bankrupted the company.<ref>Gerd Hardach: ''König Kopra. Die Marianen unter deutscher Herrschaft 1899–1914.'' Steiner, Stuttgart 1990, {{ISBN|3515057625}}, S. 23f, 32, 46.</ref>

During [[World War I]], Alamagan came under the control of the [[Empire of Japan]] and was administered as the [[South Seas Mandate]]. Following [[World War II]], it came under the control of the [[United States]] and was administered as part of the [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]]. Since 1978, it has been part of the [[Northern Islands Municipality]] of the [[Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands]].

[[File:Choiwan_Damage.png|thumb|left|Damage on Alamagan after [[Typhoon Choi-wan (2009)|Typhoon Choi-wan]] in 2009]]
[[File:Amer0348 (27327380423).jpg|thumb|Alamagan island in 2015]]
The island was inhabited, and continued to be used for the production of [[copra]], with the main settlements of Song Song in the south and Patida camp in the northwest. However, by 1962 the population had dropped so much that the elementary school was closed for lack of students.<ref>[http://digicoll.manoa.hawaii.edu/ttphotos/Pages/browseby.php?s=browse&by=reference&reference=2587b Trust Territory Archives Photograph Collection photographs] at the University of Hawaii Image Archive.</ref> Due to what was thought to be increased volcanic activity, the islanders were evacuated in December 1998 when an eruption was feared. However, analysis of the event concluded that it was excess rainwater entering fumaroles, causing extra steam, not an eruptive event.<ref name="volcano.si.edu">{{Cite web |title=Global Volcanism Program {{!}} Alamagan |url=https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=284180 |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Smithsonian Institution {{!}} Global Volcanism Program |language=en}}</ref>

At the 2000 census, only six people were living on Alamagan. In September 2009, [[Typhoon Choi-wan (2009)|Typhoon Choi-wan]] passed directly over Alamagan, destroying many of the island's trees and forcing the evacuation of the remaining residents to [[Saipan]].<ref name="ST3">{{cite web|author=Ferdie de la Torre |publisher=Saipan Tribune |date=September 19, 2009 |access-date=September 19, 2009 |title=All residents of Alamagan, Agrihan facing evacuation |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID%3D93671%26cat%3D1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203101945/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=93671&cat=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Staff Writer |publisher=Pacific Daily News |date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=September 19, 2009 |title=Sablan: Navy helping CNMI in typhoon recovery |url=http://www.guampdn.com/article/20090918/NEWS01/909180317/1002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5juFPBhuY?url=http://www.guampdn.com/article/20090918/NEWS01/909180317/1002 |archive-date=September 19, 2009 }}</ref> As of the [[2010 United States census]], the island was officially uninhabited at that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/alamagan.php |title=Mariana Islands – Alamagan |website=www.oceandots.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/alamagan.php |archive-date=23 December 2010}}</ref>

In 2018, 18 embarked on a mission to repopulate the northern islands of Alamagan and Agrihan. They left Saipan aboard the M/V Super Emerald, and the families had originally come from Alamagan to resettle there. The months long project was coordinated by the mayor's office, and plans to have clean water and radio contact, and also to hopefully send more families there.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cabrera |first=Bea |date=2018-07-02 |title=18 to resettle on Northern Islands |url=https://www.saipantribune.com/featured/18-to-resettle-on-northern-islands/article_c6740006-b1a0-5f0f-a907-def2eb9bcbdd.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |work=[[Saipan Tribune]] |language=en}}</ref> One returning Marianan remarked "  I was born and raised on Saipan but my family is from Alamagan. We are going to live there for a long time....<ref name=":1" />

In 2019, Rep. [[Sheila Babauta]] took an expedition by sea to the northern islands visiting Agriga, Alamagangan, and Pagan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sophia |date=2019-06-28 |title='A special opportunity': Rep. Babauta voyages to Alamagan |url=https://www.postguam.com/news/cnmi/a-special-opportunity-rep-babauta-voyages-to-alamagan/article_68e35a88-97d5-11e9-ba3d-e7146d0f8c00.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |work=[[The Guam Daily Post]] |language=en}}</ref>

As of 2000, there is about 6 on the island, 0 in 2010, but 1 in 2020, in a place called "the village".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Alamagan (Village, Northern Mariana Islands) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/northmarianas/admin/northern_islands/01220__alamagan/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref> The 2020 U.S. Census reports 1 person living in Alamagan village.<ref>''2020 Census Population'' of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island</ref> In June 2020, the crew of a boat on its way to Pagan stopped with engine trouble and ultimately sank near Alamagan with two crew abandoning ship and staying at the Village at Alamagan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |date=2020-07-07 |title=Boat on its way to Pagan sinks in Alamagan |url=https://www.saipantribune.com/news/local/boat-on-its-way-to-pagan-sinks-in-alamagan/article_6832df18-613f-552b-aeac-ed09e175148a.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Saipan Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, when an injured 30 year old had an emergency medical evacuation to Saipan from Alamagan, he was transported by sea aboard the USGC Cutter ''Oliver Henry''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Injured man medevaced from Alamagan |url=https://www.kuam.com/story/48872651/injured-man-medevaced-from-alamagan |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.kuam.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Txu-pclmaps-oclc-22834566 j-14c.jpg|thumb|Map including Alamagan ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1983)|left]]
[[File:Alamagan STS107-5464.jpg|thumb|Alamagan island as seen from space by [[STS-107]] Shuttle mission]]
Alamagan is roughly elliptical in shape, with a length of {{convert|4.8|km|mi|sp=us}}, width of {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}}, and area of {{convert|13|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>Brainard, ''[http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/hmapping/monitoring_report_mariana_archipelago_2003-2007/ch12_alamagan.pdf#page=1 Coral reef ecosystem monitoring report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/alamagan.php |date=2010-12-23 }}'', S. 1</ref>  The entire island is the summit of a [[stratovolcano]] which rises over {{convert|4000|m|ft|-1|sp=us}} from the ocean floor, to an altitude of {{convert|744|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level at Bandeera Peak, at the north-western edge. The volcano is topped by a caldera, 700–900 meters in diameter and about {{convert|370|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}} deep. There are three smaller cones to the north, northwest and south of the main crater. The volcano has not erupted in historical times, but by [[radiocarbon dating]], eruptions occurred in 540 AD and 870 AD, with a potential dating error of around 100 years. These eruptions involved [[pyroclastic flow]]s and had a [[Volcanic Explosivity Index|VEI]] of 4. Claims of the most recent historical eruptions are not clear, eruptions might have occurred as late as 1887.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0804-18=&volpage=erupt |title=Global Volcanism Program &#124; Alamagan &#124; Eruptive History |access-date=2009-05-26 |archive-date=2007-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820190309/http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0804-18=&volpage=erupt |url-status=dead }}</ref> Within the main crater and on the western slopes are a number of active [[fumaroles]].

Two historical eruptions were around the year 870 give or take a century, and another 540 give or take 75 years.<ref name="volcano.si.edu"/>

The island has extremely steep slopes on its eastern side which are prone to landslides. The western slope has deep canyons as the result of erosion. The shoreline is dominated by steep cliffs of up to {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} on the eastern shore. Vegetation on the island's west side includes swordgrass (''[[Miscanthus floridulus]]''). The south-east side is a steep slope of bare lava. Coconut palms (''[[Cocos nucifera]]),'' grow on the gradual slopes. There are deep valleys with caves, and there are fresh water springs on the northern part of the west coast.

Alamagan does not have sand or pebble beach, but rather mid-sized stones piled on one another.<ref name=":0" />

===Important Bird Area===
The island has been recognized as an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports populations of [[Micronesian megapode]]s, [[white-throated ground dove]]s, [[Micronesian myzomela]]s, [[Saipan reed warbler]]s and [[Micronesian starling]]s.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/alamagan-island-iba-northern-mariana-islands-(to-usa) |title=Alamagan Island|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021 |website= BirdLife Data Zone |publisher=BirdLife International |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>

===Plants===
Two rare plants, ''[[Leptecophylla mariannensis]],'' discovered by Japanese botanist [[Ryōzō Kanehira]], and ''[[Psychotria hombroniana]] var. mariannensis,'' are only known to exist on Alamagan.<ref name="bli" />

{{clear left}}

==Demographics==
As of 1980 the population of Alamagan was 36.<ref name=NOAAEnvp37>''Northern Mariana Islands Coastal Resources Management: Environmental Impact Statement''. [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]], 1980. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=kiM3AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA37 37].</ref> It was uninhabited at times, but since 2018 has had a small settlement called the village. Since 2018, some families that were originally from the island returned to live there.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

==See also==
* [[List of stratovolcanoes]]

==References==
* Russell E. Brainard et al.: ''Coral reef ecosystem monitoring report of the Mariana Archipelago: 2003–2007.'' (=''PIFSC Special Publication'', SP-12-01) [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 2012 ([http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/hmapping/monitoring_report_mariana_archipelago_2003-2007/ch12_alamagan.pdf Kapitel Alamagan] (englisch, PDF, 12,2 MB)).
* Richard B. Moore, Frank A. Trusdell: ''Geologic map of Alamagan Volcano, northern Mariana Islands.'' [[United States Geological Survey]] 1993 ([http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_44654.htm Download]).

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140427193501/http://gaebler.info/sonstiges/marianen.htm Pascal Horst Lehne and Christoph Gäbler: ''Über die Marianen.'' Lehne-Verlag, Wohldorf in Germany 1972.] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20140427193501/http://gaebler.info/sonstiges/marianen.htm#alamagan Alamagan]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/alamagan.php Marianas Archipelago Coral Reef Ecosystems Monitoring Program]}}
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/mariana/alamagan.php |date=December 23, 2010 |title=Oceandots.com Alamagan page }}
*{{cite gvp|name=Alamagan|vn=284180}}

{{Former German colonies}}
{{Northern Mariana Islands}}

[[Category:Former German colonies]]
[[Category:Islands of the Northern Mariana Islands]]
[[Category:Active volcanoes]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of the Northern Mariana Islands]]
[[Category:Stratovolcanoes of the United States]]
[[Category:Calderas of Oceania]]
[[Category:Uninhabited islands of the Northern Mariana Islands]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of the Northern Mariana Islands]]
[[Category:Holocene stratovolcanoes]]