Obituary: Sandy Island (1876–2012). (9th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seton, Maria; Williams, Simon; Zahirovic, Sabin; Micklethwaite, Steven
• Is Part Of: Eos. Volume 94:Number 15(2013)
• Page Start: 141
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2013-04-09
• Subjects: marine geophysics -- bathymetry -- satellite data -- Sandy Island; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/2013EO150001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0096-3941

Abstract

Abstract : In October 2012, scientists investigating the tectonic evolution of the eastern Coral Sea aboard the R/V Southern Surveyor uncovered a quirky discrepancy in maps of seafloor topography during their 25‐day voyage. While on a transit leg between dredge sites, the ship passed near a purported island between the Chesterfield Islands and Nereus Reef that appeared in numerous scientific data sets and in Google Earth™ with the label "Sandy Island." However, this 25‐kilometer‐long and 5‐kilometer‐wide feature was absent from the hydrographic charts used by the master onboard the ship for navigation.