2015年4月11日衛星圖顯示,越南已在南華礁的東西兩側填出了3萬平方米以上的陸地。並已在礁盤兩側開鑿出東西航道。
2015年5月下旬;僅僅一個多月,南華礁的陸域面積已由3萬平方米大增至12.5萬平方米。
但強颱「煙花」(Fireworks)及「茉莉」(Typhoon Melor)兩度吹襲,填造陸地的珊瑚海沙,被海浪沖刷,僅剩下9千平方米。
南華礁人工開掘的東航道(2015年11月衛星空拍)
越佔南華礁西航道及島礁2015年8月與12月擴建比較
By August 2015, Vietnam had reclaimed approximately 4 acres (16,000 square meters) of land on the southeast side of Cornwallis Reef, but only about 2.2 acres (9,000 square meters) remained after Typhoon Melor struck. The outpost in August sported one building, on its southwestern end, and the footprints of several more, while excavators and other equipment were engaged in reclamation. Following the storm, no ongoing work was apparent as of December 31, though the outline of a possible building footprint could be seen.
2015年12月底衛星空拍南華礁;顯示出東西兩航道及西南角的造陸情景。
In August, work on the southwest side of Cornwallis was more advanced than on the other side of the reef, with nearly 0.9 acres (3,600 square meters) of land reclaimed. A building was visible and excavators and other construction equipment were engaged in ongoing reclamation on both sides of the channel. In addition, a ship and what appeared to be a barge were anchored within the channel. Typhoon Melor wiped away most of this work, but Vietnamese forces quickly returned. Five excavators and some other equipment were back to work by December 31, and 4 acres (16,000 square meters) of reclaimed land was visible.
越佔南華礁的礁堡
南華礁(Cornwallis South Reef)位於南沙群島中部,尹慶群礁東側,地理座標為北緯8度45分,東經114度10-12分。該礁南北長約10公里,總面積34平方公里,其中礁坪面積22.3平方公里,中間礁湖面積11.7平方公里。1988年被越南侵佔。
南華礁為環礁,退潮時露出,礁湖水深約9米,有零星礁石隱沒湖中。西南面有一彎曲水道,寬約370米,水深約9米,20噸級船隻可以進出,礁門外窄內寬水道彎曲。礁門又在東南,不順風向,帆船進入困難。