657 new islands discovered around the world

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Source: cbs

The researchers identified a total of 2,149 barrier islands worldwide using satellite images, topographical maps and navigational charts. The new total is significantly higher than the 1,492 islands identified in a 2001 survey conducted without the aid of publicly available satellite imagery.

Barrier islands often form as chains of long, low, narrow offshore deposits of sand and sediment, running parallel to a coast but separated from it by bays, estuaries or lagoons. Unlike stationary landforms, barrier islands build up, erode, migrate and rebuild over time in response to waves, tides, currents and other physical processes in the open ocean environment.

All told, the world's barrier islands measure about 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometers) in length. They are found along all continents except Antarctica and in all oceans, and they make up roughly 10 percent of the Earth's continental shorelines. The northern hemisphere is home to 74 percent of these islands.




Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/21/scitech/main20056082.shtml

[Renew Deal]

1. How do I get myself to this "New World?"

[soupkitchen]

2. I guess that proves global warming is a hoax

they said islands were going to disappear but they're popping up all over.


(I'm only kidding, but remember you heard it here first0

[fascisthunter]

3. good, we can send all the right wing fascists to one of them

I think they should all be sent to Easter Island....

[ecstatic]

4. Can the teabaggers move there?

Please?

[damntexdem]

5. Is my pony on one of them?

;-)

[provis99]

6. and they are all owned by Nicolas Cage!

[Johnny Harpo]

7. I Wonder How Many "Old" Islands Have Disappeared?

n/t

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. There's hope for Gilligan yet. n/t