Imagine you’re a movie director searching for beautiful places to film. You walk along the Parana River and find a perfectly round island in its delta. It’s a bit bigger than a soccer field. When you come back a few days later, you notice something amazing—the island has moved! It shifted a little to the side and spun around. This is exactly what happened to an Argentine director named Sergio Neuspiller in 2016. He discovered an island that constantly moves and called it “The Eye.” From above, it looks like a slowly moving eye, as if nature itself is watching you!
Sergio forgot about his original movie idea and decided to make a documentary about this mysterious island instead. You can find “The Eye” in northeastern Argentina, or you can look it up on Google Maps by typing “El Ojo.” Before Sergio found it, not much was known about this place. There might be other moving islands like this on Earth. Satellite images show similar land pieces in lakes, but they aren’t as round or mobile. Scientists haven’t figured out why “The Eye” moves. One popular theory is that underground water currents push the island around. Some locals even think it might be technology from space civilizations!
Next, let’s visit the world’s smallest island. It’s so tiny that no one can stand on it! This island is in Ferry Lake on Vancouver Island, Canada. It’s not really an island but a piece of log sticking out of the water. Moss and grass cover the log, and a tiny Douglas fir tree grows on it. This tree has become famous worldwide, showing how nature can survive in the most unexpected places. Tourists love to sail around this tiny island for inspiration.
Now, let’s explore an island that looks like it belongs in a horror movie. It’s called Ball’s Pyramid, located in the waters of Australia. This sharp stone ridge is almost twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower! It’s dangerous to approach because of its slippery surface. Scientists visit with special equipment to study it. In 2001, they found a rare insect colony there. These insects, called land lobsters or “walking sausages,” were thought to be extinct. They look creepy, but their discovery was exciting for scientists.
Our next stop is Bouvet Island, one of the most isolated places in the world. It’s in the southern Atlantic Ocean, far from South Africa and Antarctica. The island is covered in ice and has a volcano crater. Only penguins and seals live there. When explorers first found it in 1739, they lost its coordinates. It was rediscovered in the 19th century, but people only set foot on it in 1927. Researchers later found a mysterious lifeboat on the island, but no one knows how it got there.
Finally, let’s visit an island that doesn’t exist! It’s called Sandy Island, located near Australia. It was first discovered in 1876 and appeared on maps, but when people went there, they found nothing. By 1970, it was removed from maps. In 2012, it showed up again on Google Maps, but researchers still found nothing. It turns out it was a mistake from transferring printed maps to digital ones. If you search for it on Google Maps, you’ll see a mysterious black spot in the ocean.
These mysterious islands show us how fascinating and surprising our world can be. Whether it’s a moving island, a tiny tree on a log, or an island that doesn’t exist, there’s always something new to discover!
Imagine you’re an explorer like Sergio Neuspiller. Use materials like clay, a shallow tray, and water to create a model of “The Eye.” Experiment with different ways to make your island move, such as using a fan or gently swirling the water. Share your findings with the class and discuss what might cause real islands to move.
Become a filmmaker and create a short documentary about one of the mysterious islands mentioned in the article. Use drawings, photos, or video clips to illustrate your story. Narrate interesting facts and theories about the island. Present your documentary to the class and answer any questions your classmates might have.
Draw a map that includes all the mysterious islands discussed in the article. Label each island and add a brief description or fun fact next to it. Use colors and symbols to make your map engaging. Display your map in the classroom and see if your classmates can locate each island on a globe or world map.
Write a short story about spending a day on one of the mysterious islands. Describe the sights, sounds, and feelings you experience. Imagine what you might discover and who or what you might meet. Share your story with a partner and discuss the different adventures you both imagined.
Work in small groups to brainstorm what you would need to survive on one of the isolated islands, like Bouvet Island. Consider the climate, available resources, and potential dangers. Create a list of essential items and explain why each is important. Present your survival plan to the class and compare it with other groups’ strategies.
Island – A piece of land that is completely surrounded by water. – The Galápagos Islands are famous for their unique wildlife.
Argentina – A country located in the southern part of South America. – Argentina is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, deserts, and beaches.
Scientists – People who study or have expert knowledge in one or more of the natural or physical sciences. – Scientists are studying the effects of climate change on polar ice caps.
Ocean – A large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth’s surface. – The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth.
Nature – The physical world and everything in it that is not made by humans. – Hiking in the mountains allows us to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Water – A clear liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is essential for life. – Water is crucial for all living organisms to survive.
Volcano – An opening in the Earth’s surface through which molten rock, ash, and gases are ejected. – Mount St. Helens is a famous volcano that erupted in 1980.
Insects – Small arthropods with six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings. – Insects like bees play a vital role in pollinating plants.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Research on renewable energy sources is important for a sustainable future.
Maps – Visual representations of an area showing physical features, cities, roads, etc. – Maps help us understand the geography of different regions.
