New Island Images, Scientists Shocked

Every so often Google Earth updates their map tiles with new images. Recently, over 55 tiles in Antarctica were updated, including offshore islands. The new images were sourced from Russian scientists who were shocked to discover a new Antarctic island this past October as a thick fog cleared 200 miles north of Peter I Island.

1. Russian research station located in Antarctica.

The abnormal weather pattern left skies clear enough for earth-orbiting satellites to photograph the terrain. Most unusual about the discovery is the star-shaped outline of the island that features seven perfect reef breaks. The island receives notoriously solid Southern Ocean swells from every direction. Cloud banks returned a few days later, and the island hasn’t been seen since.