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Zabargad Island (Egyptian Arabic:جزيرة الزبرجدGeziret El Zabargad, also known asSt. John's Island in English) is the largest of a group of islands inFoul Bay,Egypt. It covers an area of 4.50 square kilometres (1.74 square miles). It is not aQuaternaryvolcanic island, but rather is believed to be an upthrust part ofupper mantle material. The nearest island is known as "Rocky Island". The island is slightly north of theTropic of Cancer, and its highest point is 235 metres (771 feet).
Before the mid 270s [BCE]Ptolemaic activity along the African coast of the Red Sea had been limited with few significant results other than the discovery of the 'topaz' deposits on the island of Gazirat Zabarjad southeast ofRas Banas. ... 2.Pliny,HN 37, 108 refers to a large topaz that was brought back to Egypt as a gift forPtolemy I's queenBerenice I.[1]
The island is consideredgeologically unique as it is upliftedmantle, a fragment of the sub-Red Sealithosphere. Rocks on the island are mainly lowercrustaligneous rocks. The island became present above sea level afterAfrican andAsiatic continental plates converged to cause rocks in the lower crust to be uplifted. The island contains three masses ofperidotite, which are rich in the gemstone peridot (olivine). The island is believed to be the first discovered source of peridot, which was calledtopazios in ancient times, hence theGreek name for the island,Topazios. Layers ofspinel-lherzolites withanhydrousAl-diopsidepyroxenites andhydrousCr-diopside pyroxenites can be found on the island.[citation needed]
Pliny, XXXV, chap. 22 says that, according toJuba, the island "Topazus in the Red Sea", also had mines producing sandarach (realgar) and ochre, "but neither of them are imported to us from that place."[2]
The island is part of theElba National Park meaning the island is conserved. However, the island was closed to the public for one year due to damage to corals and the disturbance of birds who breed on the island.
The island serves as a breeding ground for at least nine known species of birds. The most recent discovery was that of 150 pairs ofsooty falcon (Falco concolor) in October, 1994.
There is very little vegetation on the island due to the lack of soil.
Thecorals surround the island and act as a barrier for the fish and other sea life which live among it. However, the corals recently became damaged due to increased tourist activity and the expansion of thediving industry on the island. The coral is located approximately 25 metres below the surface.
Fish that can be found within the nearby waters and corals are:
The island is nearcoral reefs, which are a popular diving attraction for tourists. The diving industry on the island has increased as well as the tourism industry on the island in general resulting in construction of hotels anddiving shelves. The beaches are often quiet and are relatively unspoilt by development. However, most tourists go to this island as a "stop-off" before going toRocky Island in the south.
23°36′35″N36°11′45″E / 23.60972°N 36.19583°E /23.60972; 36.19583
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