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Total Categories: 5
Ducie Island is composed of three distinct islets: Acadia, Pandora, and Westward.
Answer: False
Ducie Island is composed of four distinct islets: Acadia, Pandora, Westward, and Edwards.
The maximum elevation on Ducie Island is 15 feet (4.6 meters), found on Westward islet.
Answer: True
The highest point on Ducie Island is 15 feet (4.6 meters) above average sea level, located on Westward Islet.
The central lagoon of Ducie Atoll is easily accessible by boat through multiple wide channels.
Answer: False
The central lagoon of Ducie Atoll is accessible by boat only through a single 100-yard (91-meter) wide channel in the southwest.
Pandora Islet is the largest of Ducie's islets, named after HMS Pandora.
Answer: False
Acadia Islet is the largest of Ducie's islets, measuring 140 acres (57 hectares). Pandora Islet is the second largest and is named after HMS Pandora.
Whirlpools are common in Ducie's lagoon due to strong surface currents caused by tidal forces.
Answer: False
Whirlpools are common in Ducie's lagoon, but they are caused by underwater caves that drain water into the ocean, not strong surface currents from tidal forces.
Pandora Islet is one of the three coastline vertices that define Point Nemo, the oceanic pole of inaccessibility.
Answer: True
Pandora Islet is indeed one of the three coastline vertices that define Point Nemo, the oceanic pole of inaccessibility.
The individual islets of Ducie Atoll were named by Captain Edward Edwards during his rediscovery voyage.
Answer: False
The individual islets of Ducie Atoll (Acadia, Pandora, Westward, and Edwards) were named by Harald Rehder and John Randall during a Smithsonian Institution expedition in 1975, not by Captain Edward Edwards.
Westward Islet, the smallest of Ducie's islets, has a soil composed primarily of fine sand.
Answer: False
Westward Islet, the smallest of Ducie's islets, has soil composed of coral rubble and dead shells, not primarily fine sand.
Which of the following islands is NOT part of the Pitcairn Islands group that includes Ducie Island?
Answer: Easter
The Pitcairn Islands group includes Pitcairn, Henderson, Oeno, and Ducie islands. Easter Island is not part of this group.
What is the approximate total area of Ducie Island, including its central lagoon?
Answer: 1.5 square miles (3.9 square kilometers)
Ducie Island has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 square kilometers), including its central lagoon.
What is the maximum elevation on Ducie Island?
Answer: 15 feet (4.6 meters)
The maximum elevation on Ducie Island is 15 feet (4.6 meters).
How was Ducie Atoll primarily formed geologically?
Answer: As a result of a magma leak over a fracture zone after Oeno Island was created by a hotspot.
Ducie Atoll was formed approximately 8 million years ago by a magma leak over fracture zone FZ2, following the creation of Oeno Island by a hotspot.
Who named the individual islets of Ducie Atoll (Acadia, Pandora, Westward, and Edwards)?
Answer: Harald Rehder and John Randall
The individual islets of Ducie Atoll were named by Harald Rehder and John Randall during a Smithsonian Institution expedition in 1975.
Which of Ducie's islets is the largest, measuring 140 acres (57 hectares)?
Answer: Acadia Islet
Acadia Islet is the largest of Ducie's islets, measuring 140 acres (57 hectares).
What is the maximum depth of Ducie Atoll's central lagoon?
Answer: 16 meters (52 feet)
The central lagoon of Ducie Atoll has a maximum depth of 16 meters (52 feet).
What is the significance of Pandora Islet in relation to Point Nemo?
Answer: It is one of the three coastline vertices that define Point Nemo.
Pandora Islet is significant as one of the three coastline vertices that define Point Nemo, the oceanic pole of inaccessibility.
What is the primary characteristic of the bottom composition of Ducie Atoll's central lagoon?
Answer: Sand and coral
The bottom of Ducie Atoll's central lagoon is primarily composed of sand and coral.
Pedro Fernandes de Queirós was the first European to discover Ducie Island, naming it Luna Puesta.
Answer: True
Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, leading a Spanish expedition, discovered Ducie Island on January 26, 1606, and named it Luna Puesta.
The United Kingdom officially annexed Ducie Island in 1937, establishing its sovereignty.
Answer: False
The United Kingdom officially annexed Ducie Island on December 19, 1902. British sovereignty was later reaffirmed on August 4, 1937, by HMS Leander.
The mail ship Acadia ran aground on Ducie Island in 1881 due to a severe storm.
Answer: False
The mail ship Acadia ran aground on Ducie Island in 1881 due to a navigational error, where the first mate mistook land for phosphorescence, not a severe storm.
John Daggett's claim on Ducie Island under the U.S. Guano Islands Act was officially accepted by the United States government in 1867.
Answer: False
John Daggett's claim on Ducie Island in 1867 under the Guano Islands Act was never accepted by the United States government due to a lack of required information.
Captain Edward Edwards's change of course after rediscovering Ducie Island led him directly to Pitcairn Island and the Bounty mutineers.
Answer: False
After rediscovering Ducie Island, Captain Edward Edwards turned his ship northwards, consequently missing Pitcairn Island where the Bounty mutineers were located.
The crew of the whaleship Essex correctly identified Ducie Island as their landing point in 1820.
Answer: False
The crew of the whaleship Essex mistakenly believed they had reached Ducie Island in November 1820, but they had actually landed on Henderson Island.
Frederick William Beechey provided the first comprehensive description of Ducie Island in 1825, leading to the first Admiralty chart in 1826.
Answer: True
Frederick William Beechey provided the first comprehensive description of Ducie Island in November 1825, and based on his survey, the first Admiralty chart was published in 1826.
The 1893 Pacific Order in Council placed Ducie Island directly under the authority of the British Governor of Fiji.
Answer: False
The 1893 Pacific Order in Council placed Ducie Island under the authority of the High Commissioner of the British Western Pacific Territories in Fiji, not directly under the British Governor of Fiji, a role that changed in 1953.
The current constitution for the Pitcairn Islands, enacted in 2010, designates a governor appointed by the British monarch to govern Ducie Island.
Answer: True
Under the new constitution for the Pitcairn Islands, enacted on February 10, 2010, Ducie Island is governed by a governor designated by the British monarch.
The primary objective of Pedro Fernandes de Queirós's expedition was to chart new trade routes across the Pacific.
Answer: False
The primary objective of Pedro Fernandes de Queirós's expedition was to establish a colony in the Santa Cruz Islands, not to chart new trade routes.
Admiral José de Espinosa's chart correctly marked Ducie Island as Luna Puesta.
Answer: False
Admiral José de Espinosa's chart incorrectly marked Ducie Island as La Encarnación, not Luna Puesta.
The first recorded landing on Ducie Island was made by Captain Thomas Raine in 1820 while searching for survivors of the whaleship Essex.
Answer: True
Captain Thomas Raine made the first recorded landing on Ducie Island in 1820, specifically to search for survivors of the whaleship Essex.
The United States' claim on Ducie Island under the Guano Islands Act was recognized by the U.K. due to the principle of prior discovery.
Answer: False
Neither the United States nor the United Kingdom recognized each other's claims on Ducie Island based solely on discovery or the Guano Islands Act, as a formal act of possession was considered necessary.
The Pitcairn Islands became a distinct British colony in 1953, separating its administration from the Western Pacific Territories.
Answer: True
In 1953, the Pitcairn Islands became a distinct British colony, with its administration separated from the broader Western Pacific Territories.
Who was the Portuguese sailor leading the Spanish expedition that first discovered Ducie Island?
Answer: Pedro Fernandes de Queirós
Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, a Portuguese sailor, led the Spanish expedition that first discovered Ducie Island in 1606.
What name did Pedro Fernandes de Queirós originally give to Ducie Island?
Answer: Luna Puesta
Pedro Fernandes de Queirós originally named Ducie Island 'Luna Puesta'.
In what year did Captain Edward Edwards rediscover Ducie Island and give it its current name?
Answer: 1791
Captain Edward Edwards rediscovered Ducie Island on March 16, 1791, and named it Ducie.
The United Kingdom officially annexed Ducie Island as part of the Pitcairn Islands on what date?
Answer: December 19, 1902
The United Kingdom officially annexed Ducie Island on December 19, 1902, incorporating it into the Pitcairn Islands.
What was the primary objective of Pedro Fernandes de Queirós's expedition that led to the discovery of Ducie Island?
Answer: To establish a colony in the Santa Cruz Islands
The primary objective of Pedro Fernandes de Queirós's expedition was to transport soldiers, friars, and provisions to establish a colony in the Santa Cruz Islands.
What historical mistake did the crew of the whaleship Essex make in November 1820?
Answer: They believed they had reached Ducie Island but had actually landed on Henderson Island.
In November 1820, the crew of the whaleship Essex mistakenly believed they had reached Ducie Island, but they had actually landed on Henderson Island.
Who made the first recorded landing on Ducie Island in 1820?
Answer: Captain Thomas Raine
Captain Thomas Raine of the ship Surrey made the first recorded landing on Ducie Island in 1820.
Who wrote the first comprehensive description of Ducie Island in November 1825?
Answer: Frederick William Beechey
Frederick William Beechey wrote the first comprehensive description of Ducie Island in November 1825.
What was the outcome of John Daggett's 1867 claim on Ducie Island under the Guano Islands Act?
Answer: The United States never accepted his claim due to a lack of required information.
John Daggett's 1867 claim on Ducie Island under the Guano Islands Act was never accepted by the United States due to his failure to provide required additional information.
What caused the mail ship Acadia to run aground on Ducie Island in 1881?
Answer: A navigational error where the first mate mistook land for phosphorescence
The mail ship Acadia ran aground on Ducie Island in 1881 because the first mate mistook a white line of land for phosphorescence, leading to a navigational error.
When was British sovereignty over Ducie Island reaffirmed by HMS Leander?
Answer: August 4, 1937
British sovereignty over Ducie Island was reaffirmed on August 4, 1937, by Captain J. W. Rivers-Carnac of HMS Leander.
What change occurred in the governance of the Pitcairn Islands in 1953?
Answer: The British Governor of Fiji was appointed as Governor, making it a distinct British colony.
In 1953, the British Governor of Fiji was appointed as the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands, establishing it as a distinct British colony separate from the Western Pacific Territories.
What is the current constitutional status of Ducie Island as of February 10, 2010?
Answer: It is governed by a governor designated by the British monarch under a new constitution.
As of February 10, 2010, Ducie Island is governed by a governor designated by the British monarch under a new constitution for the Pitcairn Islands.
What was the mission of Captain Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora when he rediscovered Ducie Island?
Answer: To capture the mutineers of HMS Bounty.
Captain Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora was on a mission to capture the mutineers of HMS Bounty when he rediscovered Ducie Island.
Ducie Island is a heavily vegetated atoll known for its lush tropical forests.
Answer: False
Ducie Atoll's vegetation is sparse due to a lack of fresh water, and it is not characterized by lush tropical forests.
The vegetation of Acadia, Pandora, and Edwards Islets is dominated by Pemphis acidula.
Answer: False
The vegetation of Acadia, Pandora, and Edwards Islets is dominated by Heliotropium foertherianum, not Pemphis acidula.
Lepturus grass, once found on Acadia Islet, disappeared due to overgrazing by introduced species.
Answer: False
Lepturus grass, once present on Acadia Islet, disappeared sometime before 1975, believed to have been deforested by storm waves, not overgrazing by introduced species.
The Polynesian rat is the only mammal known to inhabit Ducie Island, and it was successfully eradicated in 1997.
Answer: True
The Polynesian rat is the sole mammal known to inhabit Ducie Island, and a successful eradication project was completed in 1997.
The white-bellied skink and two species of geckos are confirmed lizard inhabitants of Ducie Island.
Answer: False
The white-bellied skink and the mourning gecko are confirmed lizard inhabitants of Ducie Island, with another gecko species possibly present, but not two confirmed species of geckos.
What is the primary reason for the sparse vegetation on Ducie Atoll?
Answer: Lack of fresh water
The vegetation on Ducie Atoll is sparse primarily due to a lack of fresh water.
Which plant species dominates the vegetation of Acadia, Pandora, and Edwards Islets?
Answer: Heliotropium foertherianum
Heliotropium foertherianum dominates the vegetation of Acadia, Pandora, and Edwards Islets.
What is believed to be the cause of the disappearance of Lepturus grass from Acadia Islet before 1975?
Answer: Deforestation by storm waves
Lepturus grass disappeared from Acadia Islet before 1975, a phenomenon believed to be caused by deforestation from storm waves.
What is the only mammal known to inhabit Ducie Island?
Answer: Polynesian rat
The Polynesian rat is the only mammal known to inhabit Ducie Island.
How many species of vascular plants are currently known to grow on Ducie Atoll?
Answer: Two
Only two species of vascular plants are currently known to grow on Ducie Atoll.
Which of the following expeditions recorded the presence of the white-bellied skink on Ducie Island?
Answer: The Whitney South Seas Expedition (1922)
The white-bellied skink was photographed on Ducie Island during the Whitney South Seas Expedition in 1922.
What was the purpose of the successful project undertaken by Brian Bell and Graham Wragg in 1997 on Ducie Island?
Answer: To eradicate the Polynesian rat population.
In 1997, Brian Bell and Graham Wragg undertook a successful project to eradicate the Polynesian rat population on Ducie Island.
More than 90% of the world's population of red-tailed tropicbirds nests on Ducie Island.
Answer: False
More than 90% of the world's Murphy's petrel population nests on Ducie Island, whereas approximately 1% of the world's red-tailed tropicbird population breeds there.
Ducie Island was proposed as an 'Island for Science' in 1969 and later recommended as a Ramsar Site.
Answer: True
Ducie Island was proposed as an 'Island for Science' in 1969 and subsequently recommended as a Ramsar Site, recognizing its international importance.
Ducie Atoll is home to several species of terrestrial birds, in addition to seabirds.
Answer: False
No terrestrial birds are found on Ducie Atoll; it is exclusively a significant breeding ground for various seabird species.
BirdLife International designated Ducie Island as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its unique endemic terrestrial bird species.
Answer: False
BirdLife International designated Ducie Island as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its significant colonies of Murphy's petrels, herald petrels, Kermadec petrels, and Christmas shearwaters, not unique endemic terrestrial bird species, as no terrestrial birds are found on the atoll.
Phoenix petrels, once inhabitants of Ducie Atoll, disappeared between 1922 and 1991-92.
Answer: True
Phoenix petrels, which were known to inhabit Ducie Atoll, apparently disappeared between the Whitney expedition in 1922 and the Pitcairn Scientific Expedition of 1991–92.
Which of the following is a primary reason for Ducie Island's significance despite its sparse vegetation?
Answer: Its role as a crucial breeding ground for bird species
Despite sparse vegetation, Ducie Island is highly significant as a crucial breeding ground for various bird species, playing a vital role in their global populations.
What percentage of the world's population of Murphy's petrel nests on Ducie Island?
Answer: More than 90%
More than 90% of the world's population of Murphy's petrel nests on Ducie Island.
Which of the following bird species is NOT mentioned as a breeding seabird on Ducie Atoll?
Answer: Albatross
While various seabirds breed on Ducie Atoll, including red-billed tropicbirds, great frigatebirds, and masked boobies, albatrosses are not mentioned as breeding species.
Why has BirdLife International identified Ducie Island as an Important Bird Area (IBA)?
Answer: Its significant colonies of Murphy's petrels, herald petrels, Kermadec petrels, and Christmas shearwaters.
BirdLife International designated Ducie Island as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its globally significant colonies of Murphy's petrels, herald petrels, Kermadec petrels, and Christmas shearwaters.
What was the status of Phoenix petrels on Ducie Atoll between the Whitney expedition in 1922 and the Pitcairn Scientific Expedition of 1991–92?
Answer: They apparently disappeared from the atoll.
Phoenix petrels, once inhabitants of Ducie Atoll, apparently disappeared between the Whitney expedition in 1922 and the Pitcairn Scientific Expedition of 1991–92.
Most of the coral in Ducie's lagoon is dead, likely due to influxes of cold water.
Answer: True
The majority of coral in Ducie's lagoon is dead, a condition presumed to be caused by influxes of cold water.
The yellow-edged lyretail, blacktip grouper, and greasy grouper in Ducie's lagoon are known to cause ciguatera poisoning.
Answer: True
The yellow-edged lyretail, blacktip grouper, and greasy grouper found in Ducie's lagoon are indeed known to cause ciguatera poisoning.
Galápagos sharks in Ducie's lagoon are generally considered harmless to humans unless provoked.
Answer: False
Galápagos sharks, which inhabit Ducie's lagoon, are considered dangerous to humans, unlike whitetip reef sharks which are seldom aggressive.
Five fish species found around Ducie Island are endemic to the Pitcairn Islands.
Answer: True
Five fish species found around Ducie Island are indeed endemic, meaning they are found exclusively around the Pitcairn Islands.
Green sea turtles are known to breed extensively on the beaches of Ducie Island.
Answer: False
While green sea turtles feed on Ducie Island, they have not been observed to breed there.
Approximately 138 fish species inhabit Ducie's lagoon, many of which are unique to the atoll.
Answer: False
Approximately 138 fish species inhabit Ducie's lagoon, but these species are also commonly found in southeastern Oceania, the Western Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, indicating they are not unique to the atoll, though five species are endemic to the broader Pitcairn Islands.
What is the dominant living coral species found in Ducie's lagoon?
Answer: Montipora bilaminata
Montipora bilaminata is the dominant living coral species found in Ducie's lagoon.
Which of these fish species found in Ducie's lagoon is known to cause ciguatera poisoning?
Answer: Yellow-edged lyretail
The yellow-edged lyretail, along with the blacktip grouper and greasy grouper, is known to cause ciguatera poisoning in Ducie's lagoon.
Which of the following shark species inhabiting Ducie's lagoon is considered dangerous to humans?
Answer: Galápagos shark
Among the shark species inhabiting Ducie's lagoon, Galápagos sharks are considered dangerous to humans.
Which of the following is an endemic fish species found exclusively around the Pitcairn Islands, including Ducie?
Answer: Henderson triplefin
The Henderson triplefin is one of five fish species found exclusively around the Pitcairn Islands, including Ducie.
Which of the following is NOT a species of coralline algae found on Ducie Island?
Answer: Fucus vesiculosus
Porolithon onkodes, Porolithon gardineri, and Caulerpa racemosa are species of coralline algae found on Ducie Island; Fucus vesiculosus is not mentioned.