A black hole spotted on an image from Google Earth of 2021 has been captivating the internet lately.
The dark spot, located in the South Pacific approximately 6,400 kilometres from Australia, has a surface area of around 0.259 square kilometres. On satellite images, it appears as a jet-black, triangular structure.
Online discussions on Reddit have fuelled speculation about the mysterious formation. Some have suggested it could be a spacetime distortion, a hidden passage to Inner Earth, or even extraterrestrial infrastructure. Others have speculated that it might be an underground volcano or a secret military base.
However, the so-called ‘black hole’ turns out to be much more down to earth. According to Live Science, it is in fact an uninhabited island covered with dense trees. The island even has a name: Vostok Island.
What Is Vostok Island?
Vostok Island is one of 33 landmasses belonging to the Republic of Kiribati in the South Pacific. It is a coral atoll, and its jet-black appearance on Google Earth is due to the dense Pisonia trees covering its surface. These trees are known for growing extremely close together, preventing other plants from taking root between them. While the trees are actually dark green, the satellite images appear darker than reality, possibly due to image processing or shadows.
The island was discovered by Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820. It has never been permanently inhabited, either in the past or today. Due to its small size and isolation, many explorers believed they had ‘discovered’ it over the years, giving it various names, including Stavers Island, Reaper Island, Leavitts Island, and Anne Island.
A haven for seabirds
According to a 1971 study from the Smithsonian Institution, Vostok Island is home to a large variety of seabirds, including boobies, noddies, and frigatebirds. These birds play a crucial role in the island’s ecosystem, particularly in the propagation of Pisonia trees. The trees produce sticky seed pods, which cling to the birds’ feathers and are transported across the island, aiding in reforestation.
Unfortunately, this natural process has a downside — some birds become trapped by the heavy seed pods, preventing them from flying. In such cases, the weight leaves them grounded, ultimately leading to starvation and death.
Despite its isolation, Vostok Island remains a fascinating example of nature’s delicate balance and the misinterpretations that satellite imagery can sometimes create.
