Germany's Norderoogsand Island Has Formed Over the Past Ten Years

Posted on January 19, 2013

An island named Norderoogsand started forming off the coast of Germany about ten years ago. The 34 acre island began as a little sandbank that survived and has continued to grow. The island is located 15 miles off the North Sea shore in the German state of Schleswig Holstein.

The Telegraph reports that the island is already home to 50 plant species and many birds. The Austrian Times reports that seagulls, grey geese, ducks and even peregrine falcons are some of the birds making the recently formed island their home.

The island has been able to form under a unique set of conditions, with the tides, winds and a lack of storms all working in its favor. There is concern a big storm could erase it. Detlef Hansen, head of the Wadden Sea National Park, told The Austrian Times, "All we can do is watch and hope that a sudden flood doesn't wipe it all away again."

An image of the island can be found here.


More from Science Space & Robots

  • Researchers Observe Many New Species on Seamounts Off Chile Coast


  • CSU Researchers Forecast Extremely Active Atlantic Hurricane Season


  • Hyundai Motor and Kia Unveil DAL-e Delivery Robot


  • H5N1 Discovered at Texas Egg Facility


  • New Gecko Species Named After Van Gogh