This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

[Pulp / News] Mariners report new island in South Pacific

Started by JongWK, November 09, 2006, 10:41:24 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

JongWK

November 09, 2006, 10:41:24 AM
CNN reports:

QuoteMariners report new island in South Pacific
POSTED: 10:14 a.m. EST, November 9, 2006

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A new volcanic island has risen from the South Pacific near Tonga, according to reports from two vessels that passed the area.

The crew of the Maiken, a yacht that left the northern Tongan islands group of Vava'u in August, reported on their Web log on August 12 that they saw streaks of light, porous pumice stone floating in the water -- then "sailed into a vast, many-miles-wide belt of densely packed pumice."

They posted photos of huge "pumice rafts" that they encountered after passing Tonga's Late island while sailing toward Fiji.

"We were so fascinated and busy taking pictures that we plowed a couple of hundred meters into this surreal floating stone field before we realized that we had to turn back," wrote a crewman identified only as Haken.

The next day they spotted an active volcanic island, Haken wrote.

He said they could see the volcanic island clearly. "One mile in diameter and with four peaks and a central crater smoking with steam and once in a while an outburst high in the sky with lava and ashes. I think we're the first ones out here," he reported.

There was no official confirmation of a new island, either from Tonga's Ministry of Lands or the Tonga Defense Service.

Separately, fishing boat captain Siaosi Fenukitau reported seeing the volcanic island, the Matangitonga news Web site reported.

Richard Wunderman, editor of the Washington-based Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, said "a large pumice raft presumably from Tonga has been sweeping across Fiji, and we are trying to learn about its origins."

A previous eruption in the area generated a small island and similar fields of floating pumice, he said.

Pumice rafts drifted to Fiji in 1979 and 1984 from eruptions around Tonga, and some were reportedly 30 kilometers (19 miles) wide, the Matangitonga reported.

Reports that the island is skull-shaped remain unconfirmed, but an expeditionary group is being assembled to investigate it. :p
"I give the gift of endless imagination."
~~Gary Gygax (1938 - 2008)

Samarkand

#1
November 09, 2006, 12:25:33 PM
Quote from: JongWKCNN reports:



Reports that the island is skull-shaped remain unconfirmed, but an expeditionary group is being assembled to investigate it. :p

   At least there was no non-Euclidean architecture with a cephalopod motif.  

   Er.

   That we know.

Andrew
 

UmaSama

#2
November 10, 2006, 12:42:19 AM
We should only be worried if it was 2005, but since we're on 2006 I say it's ok...unless the island emerged last year and nobody notice it, I think someone should check on the sailors to see if any of them turned insane.:crazy:
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions