Mapped for Over a Century
Sandy Island, located near New Caledonia in the Coral Sea, appeared on maps for over 100 years. It was first noted by a British whaling ship in 1876 and later included in numerous maps and even Google Earth, depicted as a small, elongated landmass.
Discovery of a Non-Existent Island
In 2012, an Australian research vessel, the R/V Southern Surveyor, set out to study the area around Sandy Island. When they reached its supposed coordinates, they found nothing but open ocean. The island didn’t exist.
The Mystery Unravels
Scientists confirmed that Sandy Island wasn’t there, yet it remained on multiple maps for decades. It’s believed that an early mapping error led to its inclusion, and subsequent cartographers mistakenly kept it in their charts.
Removed from Maps
After the 2012 discovery, mapmakers, including Google Earth and National Geographic, removed Sandy Island from their records. What was once accepted as fact became one of cartography’s strangest errors, leaving a “phantom island” story in its wake.
The Mysterious Island That Never Was 🏝️
Mapped for Over a Century
Sandy Island, located near New Caledonia in the Coral Sea, appeared on maps for over 100 years. It was first noted by a British whaling ship in 1876 and later included in numerous maps and even Google Earth,… pic.twitter.com/zLDZByJTAz— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) October 25, 2024