The 4 volcanic and rocky islets of Marotiri, also called Bass islets, are the last uninhabited emerged lands of the Southern Australs. Located near the hot spot that formed the Austral Islands, they are the youngest islets of French Polynesia. At a distance of 56miles (90km) from Rapa, their fish-rich waters encourage the inhabitants of Rapa to fish there when the navigation corridors reopen after the passage of military boats.