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{{Short description|Fiord in New Zealand}}
[[Image:NZ-Doubtful S.png|thumb|right|Location of Doubtful Sound on the [[South Island]] of New Zealand]]
{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Doubtful Sound / Patea
| native_name ={{native name|mi|Patea}}
| other_name =
<!-- Images -->
| image = Doubtful Sound Clear.jpg
| alt = Doubtful Sound on a clear day
| caption = Doubtful Sound on a clear day
| image_bathymetry =
| alt_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
<!-- Stats -->
| location = [[Fiordland]]
| group =
| coordinates = {{coord|45|19|S|166|59|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display =inline,title}}▼
| type =
| etymology =
| part_of = [[Tasman Sea]]
| inflow =
| rivers = [[Elizabeth River, New Zealand|Elizabeth River]]
| outflow =
| oceans =
| catchment =
| basin_countries = New Zealand
| agency =
| designation =
| length = {{convert|40|km}}
| width = {{convert|2|km}}
| area =
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume =
| residence_time =
| salinity =
| shore = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| elevation = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| temperature_high = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| temperature_low = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| frozen =
| islands = [[Bauza Island]], [[Elizabeth Island, New Zealand|Elizabeth Island]]
| islands_category =
| sections =
| trenches =
| benches =
| cities =
<!-- Map -->
| pushpin_map = New Zealand Fiordland#New Zealand
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Doubtful Sound / Patea
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Doubtful Sound / Patea in New Zealand
<!-- Below -->
| website =
| reference =
}}
[[Image:DoubtfulSound-TypicalScenery.jpg|thumb|Typical weather in Doubtful Sound]]
[[Image:Doubtful Sound Clear.jpg|right|thumb|Doubtful Sound on a clear day]]
'''Doubtful Sound / Patea''' is a very large and naturally imposing [[fiord]] in [[Fiordland]], in the far south west of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible [[Milford Sound]]. It took second place after Milford Sound as New Zealand's most famous tourism destination.<ref>''[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0702/S00157.htm Real Journeys rapt with Kiwi Must-Do's]'' – ''Scoop Independent News'', Tuesday 13 February 2007</ref>▼
 
▲'''Doubtful Sound / Patea''' is a very large and naturally imposing [[fiord]] in [[Fiordland]], in the far south west of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible [[Milford Sound / Piopiotahi]]. It took second place after Milford Sound as New Zealand's most famous tourism destination.<ref>''[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0702/S00157.htm Real Journeys rapt with Kiwi Must-Do's]'' – ''Scoop Independent News'', Tuesday 13 February 2007</ref>
At {{convert|40|km}} long, Doubtful Sound is the second longest, and with a depth of up to {{convert|421|m}} the deepest of the South Island's fiords.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newzealand.com/au/doubtful-sound/|title=Doubtful Sound, New Zealand|publisher=[[Tourism New Zealand]]|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref> In comparison with Milford Sound, it is more widespread, with the cliffs not as dramatically tall and near vertical. However, the U-shaped profile of the fiord is obvious, in particular on the two innermost of the main fiord's arms and the hanging side valleys along the main fiord.▼
 
▲At {{convert|40|km}} long, Doubtful Sound / Patea is the second longest, and with a depth of up to {{convert|421|m}} the deepest of the South Island's fiords.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newzealand.com/au/doubtful-sound/|title=Doubtful Sound, New Zealand|publisher=[[Tourism New Zealand]]|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref> In comparison with Milford Sound, it is more widespread, with the cliffs not as dramatically tall and near vertical. However, the U-shaped profile of the fiord is obvious, in particular on the two innermost of the main fiord's arms and the hanging side valleys along the main fiord.
 
Like most of Fiordland, Doubtful Sound receives a high amount of rainfall, ranging from an annual average of {{convert|3000-6000|mm}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.niwa.co.nz/static/Southland%20ClimateWEB.pdf|title=Southland Climate|page=16|publisher=[[National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research]]|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref> The vegetation on the mountainous landscape surrounding the fiord is dense native rainforest.
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Doubtful Sound was named 'Doubtful Harbour' in 1770 by [[Captain Cook]], who did not enter the inlet as he was uncertain whether it was navigable under sail.<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/H/HistoryDiscoveryAndExploration/CooksVoyages/en Cook's Voyages] (from [[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]. Accessed 2008-09-12.)</ref> It was later renamed Doubtful Sound by [[whaler]]s and [[Seal hunter|sealer]]s, although it is not technically a [[Sound (geography)|sound]] but a fiord.
 
A Spanish scientific expedition commanded by [[Alessandro Malaspina]] visited Doubtful Sound in February 1793 to conduct experiments measuring the force of gravity using a [[pendulum]], a part of the effort to establish a new metric system.<ref>"Puerto del Pendulo, Doubtful Sound: The Malaspina Expedition's Visit to New Zealand in Quest of the True Figure of the Earth", ''The Globe,'' no.65, 2010, pp.1–18. Downloadable at: http://search.informit.com.au</ref> The officers of the expedition, which included [[Felipe Bauza|Felipe Bauzá y Cañas]], a cartographer,<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Southland/SouthlandPlaces/10/en Doubtful Sound] (from [[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]. Accessed 2008-09-12.)</ref> also made the first chart of the entrance and lower parts of the Sound, naming features of it. Today these form a unique cluster containing most of the Spanish names on the map of New Zealand: Febrero Point, [[Bauza Island]] and the Nee Islets, Pendulo Reach, and Malaspina Reach.<ref>[http://web.mala.bc.ca/black/amrc/index.htm?research.htm&2 ''Science and Spycraft: The Malaspina Expedition in New Zealand and New South Wales, 1793''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602132307/http://web.mala.bc.ca/black/amrc/index.htm?research.htm&2 |date=June 2, 2008 }}'' – Robert J. King, via ''Mains’l Haul, A Journal of Pacific Maritime History'', San Diego, Vol 41 No. 4 & 42, No. 1, Fall/Winter 2006, Pages 76–87</ref>
 
Following the passage of the [[NgaiNgāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998]], the name of the fiord was officially altered to Doubtful Sound / Patea.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1998/0097/10.0/DLM431335.html | title=Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 | accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref>
 
==Geography==
Line 24 ⟶ 79:
# Hall Arm ({{convert|8|km}} long), which branches off from the Sound's terminus at Deep Cove next to the prominent Commander Peak.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commander Peak, Southland – NZ Topo Map|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz13679/Commander-Peak/Southland|website=NZ Topo Map|publisher=[[Land Information New Zealand]]|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref>
 
Crooked Arm reaches to within {{convert|1|km}} of [[Te Rā / Dagg Sound]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Dagg Sound, Southland – NZ Topo Map|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz13674/Dagg-Sound/Southland|website=NZ Topo Map|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref> almost cutting off a landmass of about {{convert|195|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Narrow Neck, Southland – NZ Topo Map|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz13671/Narrow-Neck/Southland|website=NZ Topo Map|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref>
 
The Sound is the site of several large [[waterfall]]s, notably Helena Falls at [[Deep Cove, New Zealand|Deep Cove]] and the [[Browne Falls]], which have a fall of over {{convert|600|m|ft}}. The steep hills surrounding the main fiord and its arms are known for their hundreds of waterfalls during the rainy season.
 
Doubtful Sound contains about a dozen smaller islands, with the more notable ones being [[Elizabeth Island, New Zealand|Elizabeth Island]], Fergusson Island,<ref>{{cite web|title=Fergusson Island, Southland – NZ Topo Map|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz13688/Fergusson-Island/Southland|website=NZ Topo Map|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref> Bauza Island, and the Shelter Islands.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shelter Islands, Southland – NZ Topo Map|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz14090/Shelter-Islands/Southland|website=NZ Topo Map|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref> Parts of the sound on the west side of Elizabeth Island are protected by the [[Fiordland's marine reserves|Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve]].
 
[[Image:Shelter Is b.jpg|right|thumb|Doubtful Sound's Shelter Islands]]
The last quarter of the sound closest to the sea is dominated by islands, the major one being Secretary Island to the north. At the southernmost tip of the island, Doubtful Sound opens up as a confluence of 5 bodies of water. From the western seaward end and going clockwise, these are:
# Seaward end of Doubtful Sound, often referred to as "The Gut"
# [[ThompsonTe SoundAwa-o-Tū (New/ Zealand)|Thompson Sound]]
# [[Kaikiekie / Bradshaw Sound]]
# Continuation of Doubtful Sound to Deep Cove (Malaspina Reach<ref>{{cite web|title=Malaspina Reach, Southland – NZ Topo Map|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz14101/Malaspina-Reach/Southland|website=NZ Topo Map|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|accessdate=2017-09-01}}</ref>)
# First Arm
Line 50 ⟶ 105:
==Flora and fauna==
[[Image:Black coral and seastar.jpg|right|thumb|An example of a black coral found at a depth of {{convert|15|m|ft|round=5}} in "the gut" area of the sound, complete with a snake star.]]
Doubtful Sound (like many of the fiords in the area) is unusual in that it contains two distinct layers of water that scarcely mix. The surface layer {{convert|2|-|10|m|ft|round=5}}, referred to as the Low Salinity Layer or LSL, consists of diluted seawater with a typical salinity value of less than 10 psu. This layer receives fresh water fed from the high inflows from the surrounding mountains, and stained brown with tannins from the forest. The outflow of freshwater from the tailrace discharge from the Manapouri Power Station also influences the thickness of the LSL. Below the LSL is a layer of warmer, undiluted seawater with a salinity value of around 35 psu.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=McCully|first1=D R|last2=Vennell|first2=R|last3=Mladenov|first3=P V|title=Hydrology of a New Zealand fiord|journal=Recent advancesAdvances in marineMarine scienceScience and technologyTechnology|date=1994|pagepages=263-271263–271}}</ref>. The dark tannins in the fresh water layer make it difficult for light to penetrate. Thus, many deep-sea species grow in the comparatively shallow depths of the Sound.<ref name="D"/> Such species include [[black coral]] ''Antipathes fiordensis'' ,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Grange|first1=K R|title=Antipathes fiordensis, a new species of black coral (Coelenterata: Antipatharia) from New Zealand|journal=NZNew JZealand Journal of ZoolZoology|date=1990|volume=17|pageissue=2792|pages=279–282|doi=10.1080/03014223.1990.10422603|doi-282access=free}}</ref>, which is normally found at depths of {{convert|30|-|40|m|ft|round=5}} but can be found at just {{convert|10|m|ft|round=5}} in Doubtful Sound and is within the range of qualified recreational divers.
 
The catchment basin of Doubtful Sound is generally steep terrain that is heavily forested except for locations where surface rock exposures are extensive. [[Nothofagus]] trees are dominant in many locations. In the understory there are a wide variety of shrubs and [[fern]]s, including the [[crown fern]], ''[[Blechnum discolor]]''.<ref>C. Michael Hogan. 2009. [http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=95431 ''Crown Fern: Blechnum discolor'', Globaltwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213134120/http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=95431 |date=February 13, 2012 }}</ref>
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The fiord is home to one of the southernmost populations of [[bottlenose dolphin]]s. The Doubtful Sound bottlenoses have formed a very insular subgroup of only about 70 individuals, with none having been observed to leave or enter the Sound during a multi-year monitoring regime. Their social grouping is thus extremely close, which is also partly attributed to the difficult and unusual features of their habitat, which is much colder than the habitats of other bottlenose groups and is also overlaid by the freshwater layer.<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/SeaLife/Dolphins/4/en Bottlenose dolphins] (from [[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]. Accessed 2008-09-12.)</ref> Recently (2000s), there has been growing concern that the population is in significant decline, with calf survival rates having halved, as well as being noticeably lower than in captivity or in other New Zealand environments. The reasons for this are unclear, though increased tourism and the fresh-water discharge from the Manapouri Power Station (see Hydroelectricity section below) are considered potential causes.<ref name="D"/>
 
Other wildlife to be found in Doubtful Sound includes [[fur seal]]s and [[penguin]]s, or even large [[whale]]s.<ref>http://www.backpackersnews.co.nz/index.php?page=whale-sightings-up/{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Southern right whale]]s and [[humpback whale]]s are the most frequently seen especially the later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown-lakes/whale-watchers-dream|title = A whale watcher's dream|date = 13 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fmg.org.nz/content/humpback-whale-migration-0 |title=The Humpback Whale Migration &#124; Fiordland Marine Guardians |access-date=2016-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716130520/http://www.fmg.org.nz/content/humpback-whale-migration-0 |archive-date=2016-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Others include [[minke|minke whale]], [[sperm whale]] and some [[giant beaked whale]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiordlandkindy.blogspot.com/2009/04/whales-at-doubtful-sound.html/ |title=ArchivedFiordland copyKindergarten: Whales at Doubtful Sound |accessdate=2010-03-06 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504111518/http://fiordlandkindy.blogspot.com/2009/04/whales-at-doubtful-sound.html |archivedate=2014-05-04 |df= }}</ref>). Orcas ([[killer whale]]s) and [[long-finned pilot whale]]s can be found also. The waters of Doubtful Sound are also home to an abundance of sea creatures, including many species of [[fish]], [[starfish]], [[sea anemone]]s, and [[coral]]s. It is perhaps best known for its [[black coral]] trees which occur in unusually shallow water for what is normally a deep-water species. The sound has been identified as an [[Important Bird Area]] by [[BirdLife International]] because it is a breeding site for [[Fiordland penguin]]s.<ref>BirdLife International. (2012). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Doubtful Sound. Downloaded from {{cite web |url=http://www.birdlife.org |title=ArchivedBirdLife International - conserving the world's copybirds |accessdate=2013-04-20 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurl=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/5QE8rvIqH?url=web/20070710124603/http://www.birdlife.org/ |archivedate=2007-07-10 |df= }} on 2012-02-18.</ref>
Secretary Island and Bauza Island are some of the most important sanctuaries in New Zealand for critically endangered birds.
 
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==References==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
 
{{Wikivoyage|Doubtful Sound}}
{{Commons category|Doubtful Sound}}
{{Fiordland}}
 
{{Authority control}}
▲{{coord|45|19|S|166|59|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=title}}
 
[[Category:Fiords of New Zealand]]
[[Category:LandformsSounds of Fiordland]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Fiordland National Park]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubtful_Sound_/_Patea"