NASA picture of Rongerik Atoll |
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Rongerik Atoll (Marshall islands)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | North Pacific |
| Archipelago | Ralik |
| Total islands | 22 |
| Area | 1.68 km2 (0.649 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Country | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Ethnic groups | Marshallese (formerly) |
Rongerik Atoll or Rongdrik Atoll (Marshallese: Ron̄dik, /rˠʷɜŋʷrʲɨk/ or [r̴ʷɔŋʷo͡er̟i͡ɯk][1]) is a coral atoll of 17 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and is located in the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands, approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Bikini Atoll. Its total land area is only 1.68 square kilometres (0.65 sq mi), but it encloses a lagoon of 144 square kilometres (56 sq mi).
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Rongerik Atoll was claimed by the Empire of Germany along with the rest of the Marshall Islands in 1884. After World War I, the island came under the South Pacific Mandate of the Empire of Japan, although the island was uninhabited. Following the end of World War II, it came under the control of the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands until the independence of the Marshall Islands in 1986.
It is most famous as the temporary location from March 7, 1946 through March 14, 1948 of the Bikini Atoll's indigenous population while the United States government conducted the Operation Crossroads nuclear tests. After months of food shortages and malnutrition, they were moved first to Kwajalein and finally to Kili Island. On March 1, 1954, Rongerik was exposed to radioactive fallout as a result of the detonation of Operation Castle's Bravo.
Traditionally, Marshall Islanders believe Rongerik to be haunted by the Demon Girls of Ujae, which contributed to its not being inhabited.
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