A new island known as Norderoogsand has emerged from the waters of the North Sea off the German coast (© Arco Images GmbH/Alamy)

New island suddenly appears off the coast of Germany

1/10/2013

More than 10 years ago, Norderoogsand, a curved island about 16 miles off Germany's North Sea coast, didn't exist. Now it's home to about 50 plant species and provides a pristine place for a variety of sea birds to frolic. "The fact that in just a few years a new island is formed is very impressive," local conservationist Detlef Hansen says. "For conservationists, this is anything but ordinary." The island's dunes stretch more than 13 feet high, and grass is staving off erosion. However, scientists say one big storm could be all it takes to sweep the island back into the sea, making it disappear as swiftly and strangely as it arrived. [Source]

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Does the formation of a new island fill you with a sense of hope and wonder?