Vanishing island facts for kids
A vanishing island is a real island that appears and disappears with the ocean's tides. You can see it and even walk on it when the sea level is low, but it gets completely covered by water when the sea level rises. This isn't a magic trick, but a natural event that happens every day in certain parts of the world.
These islands aren't gone forever when they disappear. They are simply hidden beneath the waves during high tide and show up again a few hours later during low tide. You can find vanishing islands in many places, including the Philippines and the San Juan Islands near the coast of Washington state in the U.S.
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How Do Vanishing Islands Work?
The secret behind vanishing islands is the tides. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the ocean's water level. This movement is mainly caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth's oceans.
The Daily Cycle of Tides
- Low Tide: This is when the sea level drops to its lowest point. During low tide, the land of a vanishing island is exposed and visible.
- High Tide: This is when the sea level rises to its highest point. The water comes in and covers the low-lying island, making it seem as if it has vanished into the sea.
This cycle of two high tides and two low tides happens about every 24 hours and 50 minutes in most places.
Myths and Legends of Vanishing Islands
Long ago, sailors and explorers did not have a scientific understanding of tides. When they saw an island that was there one day and gone the next, they created amazing stories to explain the mystery.
A common legend was that the vanishing island was actually a gigantic sea monster sleeping on the surface of the water. Sailors, thinking they had found a safe place to rest, would land their ships and set up camp on the creature's back. But when the monster decided to dive back into the deep, it would pull the entire crew and their ship down with it.
Some of the famous mythical creatures from these tales include:
- The aspidochelone, a giant turtle or whale so big that trees could grow on its back.
- The kraken, a legendary sea monster from Scandinavian folklore, often described as a giant squid or octopus.
- Jasconius, a giant fish from the story of Saint Brendan's voyage.
A Different Kind of Disappearing Island
The term "vanishing island" is sometimes used to describe islands that are in danger of being permanently covered by water due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
It is important to know the difference. A true vanishing island is part of a natural daily cycle and always reappears at low tide. An island that disappears due to rising sea levels would be submerged for good.
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