Scientists Discover 657 Islands Sitting Under Our Noses

By ERICA HO Erica Ho – Wed Apr 27, 5:45 am ET

Christopher Columbus, prepare to be blown away. Thanks to satellite imagery, scientists have discovered swaths of new islands scattered across the world.

Thanks to high-resolution images, Duke University and Meredith College geoscientists were able to add 657 new barrier islands to the total count, adding 30 percent more to the known list. There are now 2,149 discovered islands in total.

The biggest string of islands happens to fall right off of Brazil's coast, 54 islands strong over a stretch of 354 miles. They had previously blended into a mangrove, so scientists weren't exactly sure what they were. Most of the newly discovered islands lie in the northern hemisphere.

Barrier islands are often deposits of sand and sediment that erode away or build up over time depending on the ocean's currents. They usually form off coasts, protecting them from erosion and storm damage.

Scientists cite Google Earth as a key tool in discovering the islands. Still the researchers point out that "Some of the islands we did not 'discover' until we visited them. That is, we weren't really sure they were barrier islands."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/2011042...NpZW50aXN0c2Rp

You would think Pilots discover Islands, not scientists in a lab

Originally Posted by SamanthaJane13

By ERICA HO Erica Ho – Wed Apr 27, 5:45 am ET

Christopher Columbus, prepare to be blown away. Thanks to satellite imagery, scientists have discovered swaths of new islands scattered across the world.

Thanks to high-resolution images, Duke University and Meredith College geoscientists were able to add 657 new barrier islands to the total count, adding 30 percent more to the known list. There are now 2,149 discovered islands in total.

The biggest string of islands happens to fall right off of Brazil's coast, 54 islands strong over a stretch of 354 miles. They had previously blended into a mangrove, so scientists weren't exactly sure what they were. Most of the newly discovered islands lie in the northern hemisphere.

Barrier islands are often deposits of sand and sediment that erode away or build up over time depending on the ocean's currents. They usually form off coasts, protecting them from erosion and storm damage.

Scientists cite Google Earth as a key tool in discovering the islands. Still the researchers point out that "Some of the islands we did not 'discover' until we visited them. That is, we weren't really sure they were barrier islands."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/2011042...NpZW50aXN0c2Rp

Hmm, I wonder. If I get there before anyone can I claim them? Need to come with a flag and country name.

J/K

Originally Posted by Dennis Hultman

Hmm, I wonder. If I get there before anyone can I claim them? Need to come with a flag and country name.

J/K

LOL-I like Samanthajania for the name of the new country...and a dark chocolate bar, a crested gecko, and a peace sign on a pale blue field-for fresh clean air-for the flag!