The Falklands have added a new island. A representative of the United Nations Commission on the Law of the Sea, Lithuanian geologist Professor Loof Lirpa, has confirmed to Penguin News that a new island has emerged in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 150 miles north of Steeple Jason.
The as yet unnamed island is just within the Falkland Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and a 200-mile circumference extension to the zone has been agreed with the UN.
This area contains rich fishing areas, with potential for huge hydrocarbon reserves.
Professor Lirpa confirmed that it is not unusual for new islands to emerge, but normally this is near active volcanic regions, for example around Iceland or Hawaii. However, Professor Lirpa feels that the increased seismic activity during recent oil exploration, with hundreds of small explosions on the seabed, has ruptured and tilted the seabed by 90 degrees until it has just emerged above the surface of the ocean.
The island first emerged about six months ago, but news of its appearance has been a closely guarded secret until its exact position could be confirmed. A source said: “It’s tricky to get there, as it is at the extreme range of helicopters, and there is no flat land for planes to land on. So, there will be difficulties in terms of planting a flag by that route; a landing by zodiac might be the answer. This could take place quite shortly, potentially by April 1”. (Penguin News)
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesThe new island is clearly Argentine soil and an expeditionary force must be dispatched at once to occupy it - The Island should be named 'Isla Cristina' so as not to confuse the residents of Puerto Argentina.
Mar 31st, 2017 - 04:28 pm +4Anyone got any dynamite? I want to frack myself a nice little island kingdom to call home in the middle of my neighbours fish pond. I'll nominate DemonTree as the new president for his strong intellect as demonstrated here.
Mar 31st, 2017 - 02:15 pm +1So offshore oil exploration can cause enough seismic activity to make a new island rise out of the sea, but they want us to believe that fracking is totally safe?
Mar 31st, 2017 - 07:20 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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