Google Maps is hiding a ‘PHANTOM’ island that disappeared in 2012 – and experts are baffled
The mysterious Sandy Island was mapped for hundreds of years, but it doesn't actually exist
THERE'S a "phantom island" that lives as a ghost on Google Maps – and it has experts baffled.
The mysterious Sandy Island has been charted since 1774 as being located new New Caledonia in the South Pacific, but you won't find it in Google Maps today.
Instead you'll see a faint outline of what looks like a long, thin island – but with no landmass in sight.
The story of Sandy Island begins on September 15, 1774, when Captain James Cook charted a "Sandy I." in the eastern Coral Sea, off the northeast coast of Australia.
It was published in Cook's "Chart of Discoveries made in the South Pacific Ocean" in 1776.
Historically, the island was believed to be 14.9 miles long and 3.1 miles wide – hard to miss, basically.
You can check out other interesting Google Maps secrets here.
And read about the mystery of Russia's censored Jeannette Island on Google Maps, too.
Why do you think Captain Cook thought he saw an island that wasn't there? Let us know in the comments!
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