For several years, scientists have been left baffled by a strange phenomenon occurring on Google Maps.

A small strip of island located between Australia and New Caledonia in the South Pacific has been an enigma, as it keeps appearing and disappearing.

Mind you, this is not a technical fault, as this strange island had every indication of a landmass through satellite view.

Many called it the Sandy Island or ‘phantom island’ that was first found mentioned in British Explorer Captain James Cook's Chart of Discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean all the way back in 1776, The Daily Express newspaper reports.

According to reports, it was spotted again 100 years later in 1895, with many believing that the island was 14.9 miles long and 3.1 miles wide.

The mystery was finally unravelled on November 22, 2012, when Australian scientists on the R/V Southern Surveyor found nothing but the sea.

Scientists recorded the ocean depths to be more than 4,300 feet, suggesting that there was no chance of anything lurking under the ocean that would previously have been visible.

And four days later, the island was removed from Google Maps.

Maria Seton, of the University of Sydney, told AFP: "We wanted to check it out because the navigation charts on board the ship showed a water depth of 1,400 metres (4,620 feet) in that area – very deep.

“It's on Google Earth and other maps so we went to check and there was no island.”

"We're really puzzled, it's quite bizarre.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-those-baby-dinosaurs-video-of-creature-scurrying-through-beach-goes-viral-netizens-confused-477224">Are those baby dinosaurs? Video of creature scurrying through beach goes viral, netizens confused</a>

However, if one were to search the island through the exact coordinates on any maps, a small lump could still be seen in the ocean.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-that-a-space-jellyfish-spacex-rocket-launch-illuminates-sky-gives-visual-treat-to-viewers-477189">Is that a space jellyfish? SpaceX rocket launch illuminates sky, gives visual treat to viewers</a>

So far, there is no official explanation as to why one could still sight the so-called Sandy Island, but there is a leading theory which suggest that the island may have been the floating remains of a submerged volcano or coastal subaerial eruption.

WATCH WION LIVE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

For several years, scientists have been left baffled by a strange phenomenon occurring on Google Maps. A small strip of island located between Australia and New Caledonia in the South Pacific has been an enigma, as it keeps appearing and disappearing.

For several years, scientists have been left baffled by a strange phenomenon occurring on Google Maps. A small strip of island located between Australia and New Caledonia in the South Pacific has been an enigma, as it keeps appearing and disappearing. Mind you, this is not a technical fault, as this strange island had every indication of a landmass through satellite view. Many called it the Sandy Island or ‘phantom island’ that was first found mentioned in British Explorer Captain James Cook's Chart of Discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean all the way back in 1776, The Daily Express newspaper reports. According to reports, it was spotted again 100 years later in 1895, with many believing that the island was 14.9 miles long and 3.1 miles wide. The mystery was finally unravelled on November 22, 2012, when Australian scientists on the R/V Southern Surveyor found nothing but the sea. Scientists recorded the ocean depths to be more than 4,300 feet, suggesting that there was no chance of anything lurking under the ocean that would previously have been visible. And four days later, the island was removed from Google Maps. Maria Seton, of the University of Sydney, told AFP: "We wanted to check it out because the navigation charts on board the ship showed a water depth of 1,400 metres (4,620 feet) in that area – very deep. “It's on Google Earth and other maps so we went to check and there was no island.” "We're really puzzled, it's quite bizarre.” Also read | Are those baby dinosaurs? Video of creature scurrying through beach goes viral, netizens confused However, if one were to search the island through the exact coordinates on any maps, a small lump could still be seen in the ocean. Also read | Is that a space jellyfish? SpaceX rocket launch illuminates sky, gives visual treat to viewers So far, there is no official explanation as to why one could still sight the so-called Sandy Island, but there is a leading theory which suggest that the island may have been the floating remains of a submerged volcano or coastal subaerial eruption. WATCH WION LIVE

Mysterious ‘phantom island’ keeps appearing and disappearing on Google Maps, scientists stumped

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp; <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/europe-now-the-epicentre-of-coronavirus-pandemic-who-286257">Europe now the epicentre of coronavirus pandemic: WHO</a>

People from small South Pacific island countries, which currently have no reported cases, will be exempted, Ardern said in a news conference. New Zealand has a large South Pacific islander population.

All cruise ships will also be told not to come to New Zealand until June 30, she said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/who-declares-coronavirus-a-global-pandemic-285731/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Ardern said these were "far-reaching and unprecedented" measures to tackle a global pandemic. New Zealand has six confirmed cases and has not recorded any deaths.

Also read: <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/coronavirus-burial-site-satellite-images-reveal-mass-graves-in-irans-qom-city-286238">Coronavirus burial site? Satellite images reveal mass graves in Iran's Qom city</a>

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Also read: Europe now the epicentre of coronavirus pandemic: WHO People from small South Pacific island countries, which currently have no reported cases, will be exempted, Ardern said in a news conference. New Zealand has a large South Pacific islander population. All cruise ships will also be told not to come to New Zealand until June 30, she said. × Ardern said these were "far-reaching and unprecedented" measures to tackle a global pandemic. New Zealand has six confirmed cases and has not recorded any deaths. Also read: Coronavirus burial site? Satellite images reveal mass graves in Iran's Qom city

Everyone entering country must self-isolate to contain coronavirus, said Jacinda Ardern

Hundreds of people were sheltering in evacuation centres as another tropical storm took aim at Fiji, officials said Saturday, as the South Pacific island nation went on high alert.

The storm was brewing east of Vanuatu and was expected to strengthen as it neared Fiji early next week.

"The concern for the weekend is strong winds, heavy rain, flooding of low lying areas and rivers," the Fiji Meteorological Service said in a statement.

It comes a week after Cyclone Josie caused widespread flooding and left five people dead with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama blaming climate change and warning Fiji had entered a "frightening new era".

National Disaster Management Office director Anare Leweniqila told Radio New Zealand the weather system has the potential to develop into a category one cyclone.

"A cyclone warning has been issued early for the whole of the Fiji group as the tropical depression approaches the country, making people aware of the situation early," he said as heavy rain saw flood waters begin to rise again.

By noon Saturday (0000 GMT), flooding had forced hundreds of people to take shelter in evacuation centres in the north and west of Fiji.

"At about 6 am this morning, our area was flooded and we started preparing ourselves because police had arrived to take us to the evacuation centre," Laisa Vunitiko, from the village of Vulovi on Vanua Levu island, told the Fiji Times.

The Times said 490 families had taken shelter in the north while the National Disaster Management Office reported 192 people were in evacuation centres in the west.

Hundreds of people were sheltering in evacuation centres as another tropical storm took aim at Fiji, officials said Saturday, as the South Pacific island nation went on high alert

Hundreds of people were sheltering in evacuation centres as another tropical storm took aim at Fiji, officials said Saturday, as the South Pacific island nation went on high alert. The storm was brewing east of Vanuatu and was expected to strengthen as it neared Fiji early next week. "The concern for the weekend is strong winds, heavy rain, flooding of low lying areas and rivers," the Fiji Meteorological Service said in a statement. It comes a week after Cyclone Josie caused widespread flooding and left five people dead with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama blaming climate change and warning Fiji had entered a "frightening new era". National Disaster Management Office director Anare Leweniqila told Radio New Zealand the weather system has the potential to develop into a category one cyclone. "A cyclone warning has been issued early for the whole of the Fiji group as the tropical depression approaches the country, making people aware of the situation early," he said as heavy rain saw flood waters begin to rise again. By noon Saturday (0000 GMT), flooding had forced hundreds of people to take shelter in evacuation centres in the north and west of Fiji. "At about 6 am this morning, our area was flooded and we started preparing ourselves because police had arrived to take us to the evacuation centre," Laisa Vunitiko, from the village of Vulovi on Vanua Levu island, told the Fiji Times. The Times said 490 families had taken shelter in the north while the National Disaster Management Office reported 192 people were in evacuation centres in the west.

Hundreds take shelter as Fiji braces for another cyclone