Pearson, Alison, Cornwallis, and Pigeon Reef, Vietnam Occupied
Updated: August 269, 2024 using Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery and analysis from Copernicus Browser, eESA.
North of the Malaysian developments at Investigator Shoal, Ardasier Bank, and Swallow Reef, and northwest of the Philippine development at Viper North Shoal, we see a band of developments operated and maintained by Vietnam. This area is in the center of the Spratlys, east of London Reefs, east by SE of Fiery Cross, southwest of Union Bank. We find a row of four atolls moving west to east. These are Pearson Reef, Alison Reef, Cornwallis South and Pigeon Reef. These structures are northeast of Barque Canada Reef (also Vietnamese), and in the central 'heart' of the Spratly Islands.
As of 2020, and according to Google Earth satellite imagery, this portion of the Spratlys was under-developed with only minor land reclamations and one minor island outpost. We saw a few land reclamation infrastructure elements at work at that time.
North of the Malaysian developments at Investigator Shoal, Ardasier Bank, and Swallow Reef, and northwest of the Philippine development at Viper North Shoal, we see a band of developments operated and maintained by Vietnam. This area is in the center of the Spratlys, east of London Reefs, east by SE of Fiery Cross, southwest of Union Bank. We find a row of four atolls moving west to east. These are Pearson Reef, Alison Reef, Cornwallis South and Pigeon Reef. These structures are northeast of Barque Canada Reef (also Vietnamese), and in the central 'heart' of the Spratly Islands.
As of 2020, and according to Google Earth satellite imagery, this portion of the Spratlys was under-developed with only minor land reclamations and one minor island outpost. We saw a few land reclamation infrastructure elements at work at that time.
Based on Copernicus Browser, eESA satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 L1C, dated 7/31/2024 and 8/15/2024, we see much more development underway in Alison Reef, Cornwallis South, and Pearson Reef. Vietnam has accelerated their island reclamation efforts in the Central Spratly Islands.
In fact, Pearson Reef is unrecognizable from images just four years ago. The reef is 9.0 km long, and we see three man-made reclamations, with a large development on the northeastern edge, which is shaped like a long capsule, and contains within a large, rectangular enclosed bay. In the last 2 weeks, we see additional reclamation and expansion work to the west and south, dated 8/15/2024.
There is also a reclamation shaped like a handgun turned upside down, and a new, deep channel cut through the reef on the southern edge. It looks like this atoll could extensively reclaimed.
The same is true for Pigeon Reef, which is undergoing a massive reclamation.
In fact, Pearson Reef is unrecognizable from images just four years ago. The reef is 9.0 km long, and we see three man-made reclamations, with a large development on the northeastern edge, which is shaped like a long capsule, and contains within a large, rectangular enclosed bay. In the last 2 weeks, we see additional reclamation and expansion work to the west and south, dated 8/15/2024.
There is also a reclamation shaped like a handgun turned upside down, and a new, deep channel cut through the reef on the southern edge. It looks like this atoll could extensively reclaimed.
The same is true for Pigeon Reef, which is undergoing a massive reclamation.
Maralie Reef, north of Pearson Reef, at location 9°12'39"N 113°39'49"E, is fully submerged with no apparent man-made features. It appears on google Earth, dated 8/17/2013, and does not appear on Maxar Xpress.
Pearson Reef, Vietnam
Pearson Reef, a.k.a., Dao Phan Vinh, is Vietnamese occupied. It is a 5.7 mile long atoll with an enclosed lagoon, and a developed island at the Northeast tip, two navigation aids at the Southwest tip, and a land reclamation infrastructure implementation northwest of the lagoon. Google Earth satellite imagery is dated 05/06/2020. Pearson Reef is 356 miles southeast of Phan Rang-Tham Cham, Vietnam, and is 227 miles from the southern end of Palawan. It has a similar look to other islands, and appears with a radome, a helipad, and island fixed defensive fortifications, as well as multiple buildings, a jetty, and open roofs.
Pearson Reef, a.k.a., Dao Phan Vinh, is Vietnamese occupied. It is a 5.7 mile long atoll with an enclosed lagoon, and a developed island at the Northeast tip, two navigation aids at the Southwest tip, and a land reclamation infrastructure implementation northwest of the lagoon. Google Earth satellite imagery is dated 05/06/2020. Pearson Reef is 356 miles southeast of Phan Rang-Tham Cham, Vietnam, and is 227 miles from the southern end of Palawan. It has a similar look to other islands, and appears with a radome, a helipad, and island fixed defensive fortifications, as well as multiple buildings, a jetty, and open roofs.
In this most recent imagery below, we see an expansion and development of the main island at the northeast. However, we also notice the potential fill-in of the interior of the atoll between the two western developments. That looks like crushed coral, and has the potential to create a much larger island within the reef. Time will tell how this reclamation completes. What we do know is that this island is very important to the occupying country, which we believe to be Vietnam.
Sentinel-2, L1C dated 8/15/2024, Pearson Island. You can see the northeast settlement is getting larger, both to the south and west of the island.
At the Northeast edge of the island we find Pearson Reef Four, at location 8°58'50"N 113°42’05"E in a satellite photo dated 5/26/2020 also displayed below that shows some additional reclamation work on the Southwestern corner of the island. Diameter is 0.19 miles.
This island is an oval has some additional reclamation occurring on the West side of the island. Pearson Reef Island Four has some typical structures we have seen. Some of the buildings have rectangular shapes on their roofs, and there is a well developed seawall around the island. We see one peer, one helipad, and a straight dirt road through the center of town, along with a few large buildings. We see one white radome, and a letter "A" printed on the roof of a building. We see a deep channel leading from the interior of the reef to the island, for western access to the island.
Pearson Reef has a few developments and man-made features. To the West we see navigation features at location 8°56'29"N 113°38’25”E. Satellite Imagery from 05/26/2020. Moving clockwise, we see Pearson Reef Navigation Features two, which are blurry at best. Satellite images taken 05/26/2020. At the northwest of the reef, and just north of the lagoon by a channel cut into the coral we see three infrastructure elements connected by bridges to a central helipad platform. Location: 8°57'30"N 113°39’07"E.
Fisherman from Pearson enjoy medical emergency treatment via the Vietnamese military. In the attached article, a fisherman suffered acute and severe decompression sickness from diving too deeply and ascending too quickly, and they were medically evacuated to an emergency trauma hospital on the mainland.
This island is an oval has some additional reclamation occurring on the West side of the island. Pearson Reef Island Four has some typical structures we have seen. Some of the buildings have rectangular shapes on their roofs, and there is a well developed seawall around the island. We see one peer, one helipad, and a straight dirt road through the center of town, along with a few large buildings. We see one white radome, and a letter "A" printed on the roof of a building. We see a deep channel leading from the interior of the reef to the island, for western access to the island.
Pearson Reef has a few developments and man-made features. To the West we see navigation features at location 8°56'29"N 113°38’25”E. Satellite Imagery from 05/26/2020. Moving clockwise, we see Pearson Reef Navigation Features two, which are blurry at best. Satellite images taken 05/26/2020. At the northwest of the reef, and just north of the lagoon by a channel cut into the coral we see three infrastructure elements connected by bridges to a central helipad platform. Location: 8°57'30"N 113°39’07"E.
Fisherman from Pearson enjoy medical emergency treatment via the Vietnamese military. In the attached article, a fisherman suffered acute and severe decompression sickness from diving too deeply and ascending too quickly, and they were medically evacuated to an emergency trauma hospital on the mainland.
Pearson Reef Overview, Google Earth image 12/14/2015.
Pearson Reef Three
Pearson Reef Island showing navigation channel and western reclamation.
Alison Reef, Vietnam
Alison Reef is 16.3 miles southeast of Pearson Reef. It is a submerged, coral reef atoll with three land reclamation infrastructure elements present, but no land above sea-level. At the Northwest corner, we see two infrastructure elements. Location: 8°49'57"N 113°55’25”E. We see significant channels cut into the atoll.
At the Southeast corner the land reclamation is a little further along, and we see ships in the lagoon nearby. Satellite Photo: 05/1/2020 and location 8°47'01"N 114°02’50”E. We can see how these two infrastructure elements work in the wild, with sand being laid out between the two infrastructure elements. We zoom in for a closer look at the reclamation efforts. Here is the location as we zoom in: 8°46'46"N 114°03'09"E m.
Using Sentinel-2 L1C imagery from 7/31/2024, with false color, we can see that the eastern reclamation has grown in size, and that there are either reclamation infrastructure pairs, or navigation aids, inside the reef at the 0 degree mark (top, center) and at the 330 degree point, or at the northwest corner, just west of the large, natural channel. Maxar Xpress labels the two visible infrastructure reclamation pairs, and the east one is called Dao Toc Tan A. There are no visible land masses shown in this Vietnamese reclamation atoll.
Alison Reef is 16.3 miles southeast of Pearson Reef. It is a submerged, coral reef atoll with three land reclamation infrastructure elements present, but no land above sea-level. At the Northwest corner, we see two infrastructure elements. Location: 8°49'57"N 113°55’25”E. We see significant channels cut into the atoll.
At the Southeast corner the land reclamation is a little further along, and we see ships in the lagoon nearby. Satellite Photo: 05/1/2020 and location 8°47'01"N 114°02’50”E. We can see how these two infrastructure elements work in the wild, with sand being laid out between the two infrastructure elements. We zoom in for a closer look at the reclamation efforts. Here is the location as we zoom in: 8°46'46"N 114°03'09"E m.
Using Sentinel-2 L1C imagery from 7/31/2024, with false color, we can see that the eastern reclamation has grown in size, and that there are either reclamation infrastructure pairs, or navigation aids, inside the reef at the 0 degree mark (top, center) and at the 330 degree point, or at the northwest corner, just west of the large, natural channel. Maxar Xpress labels the two visible infrastructure reclamation pairs, and the east one is called Dao Toc Tan A. There are no visible land masses shown in this Vietnamese reclamation atoll.
Alison Reef, Google Earth 5/1/2020.
Alison Reef Southwest Corner
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Alison Reef Northeast Corner
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Cornwallis Reef -
Cornwallis South Reef is 6.8 miles east by southeast of Alison Reef. Close neighbors. It is a coral atoll 5.8 miles in diameter with a large lagoon. We see three channels cut through the reef, one to the Southwest, one to the Southeast, and one Northcentral.
All three channels cut through the reef have infrastructure and reclamations nearby. This looks like an actively developed shoal as of 3/28/2020. In total, there are four reclamations or infrastructure on this reef. Date: 03/28/2020. Location: 8°41'10"N 114°10’13”E.
It is interesting to note this method of reclamation as it is unique. There is a sand-colored rectangle with finite sea-walls, along with additional sand expanding out.
Cornwallis South Reef is 6.8 miles east by southeast of Alison Reef. Close neighbors. It is a coral atoll 5.8 miles in diameter with a large lagoon. We see three channels cut through the reef, one to the Southwest, one to the Southeast, and one Northcentral.
All three channels cut through the reef have infrastructure and reclamations nearby. This looks like an actively developed shoal as of 3/28/2020. In total, there are four reclamations or infrastructure on this reef. Date: 03/28/2020. Location: 8°41'10"N 114°10’13”E.
It is interesting to note this method of reclamation as it is unique. There is a sand-colored rectangle with finite sea-walls, along with additional sand expanding out.
Cornwallis South Reef, 3/28/2020, Google Earth
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In more recent Sentinel-2 L1C imagery from 7/31/2024, we can see there are now three reclamation efforts and channels cut through the reef. The largest reclamation is to the south, and measures 385 meters. We cannot see additional detail in this low-resolution imagery. Maxar Xpress shows a three-piece reclamation infrastructure to the north, and this larger reclamation to the south is labeled Dao Nui Le, Vietnamese.
Cornwallis South Reef, 7/31/2024, False Color. You can plainly see the three reclamation efforts and three channels through the reef. The southernmost reclamation is larger than before.
Cornwallis South Reef development, southernmost point by a channel. True Color, 7/31/2024.
Pigeon Reef, Vietnam
Pigeon Reef, a.k.a., Tennent Reef, occupied and developed by Vietnam, is east of Cornwallis Reef. It is a triangular-shaped coral atoll, with the hypotenuse at 4.2 miles in diameter. We see land reclamation infrastructure to the west and east, and a significant island reclamation underway in the center of the southern coast. Maxar Xpress has that larger reclamation labeled as Dao Tien Nu, and it is immediately southwest of a deep channel into the reef.
East to West measures 3 miles. Location of the reclamation: 8°52'17"N 114°38’38”E. Satellite Photo: 06/04/2022. Overall length is 0.61 miles.
As we zoom into the construction, we see dozens of trucks, tall construction cranes, and a flurry of activity. We see foundations for a large administrative type building duplex, and a tall crane that suggests it will be a multi-story building complex.
On the West, we see a series of either roads, or peers, and we see what we now find as a common structure of the reclamation of the island. It looks similar to the lines of a parking lot or marina on the East side of the island, which we know eventually will get filled with sand and rock, creating solid ground. We cannot wait to see the new satellite imagery and track their progress.
According to Radio Free Asia, here, dated 4/19/2023, Pigeon Reef, a.k.a., Tennent Reef, has a new harbor. We await updated satellite imagery.
Pigeon Reef, a.k.a., Tennent Reef, occupied and developed by Vietnam, is east of Cornwallis Reef. It is a triangular-shaped coral atoll, with the hypotenuse at 4.2 miles in diameter. We see land reclamation infrastructure to the west and east, and a significant island reclamation underway in the center of the southern coast. Maxar Xpress has that larger reclamation labeled as Dao Tien Nu, and it is immediately southwest of a deep channel into the reef.
East to West measures 3 miles. Location of the reclamation: 8°52'17"N 114°38’38”E. Satellite Photo: 06/04/2022. Overall length is 0.61 miles.
As we zoom into the construction, we see dozens of trucks, tall construction cranes, and a flurry of activity. We see foundations for a large administrative type building duplex, and a tall crane that suggests it will be a multi-story building complex.
On the West, we see a series of either roads, or peers, and we see what we now find as a common structure of the reclamation of the island. It looks similar to the lines of a parking lot or marina on the East side of the island, which we know eventually will get filled with sand and rock, creating solid ground. We cannot wait to see the new satellite imagery and track their progress.
According to Radio Free Asia, here, dated 4/19/2023, Pigeon Reef, a.k.a., Tennent Reef, has a new harbor. We await updated satellite imagery.
Pearson Reef Island Four, Google Earth, 6/4/2022.
Pearson Reef Island Development, 6/4/2022. Google Earth.
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In summary, this area is actively being developed and reclaimed, likely by Vietnam, in the center of the Spratly Islands.
Area
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Spratly Islands
Pearson Reef
Philippines
232
8°58'50"N 113°42’05"E
0.19
5/26/2020
No
Yes
Yes (small)
Yes
Not sure, possibly on the Western edge of the island
No
No
No
No
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Spratly Islands
Pearson Reef
Philippines
232
8°58'50"N 113°42’05"E
0.19
5/26/2020
No
Yes
Yes (small)
Yes
Not sure, possibly on the Western edge of the island
No
No
No
No