Evolution of a New Pacific Island - Satellite Observations and Insights

Explore the fascinating evolution of a new Pacific island in this 43-minute press conference from AGU's Fall Meeting 2017. Discover how a Tongan island, initially expected to last only a few months, has persisted for over two years, providing scientists with an unprecedented opportunity to study island formation using modern satellite technology. Learn about the insights gained from analyzing the island's first 30 months, including predictions about its longevity and the processes governing new island formation on Earth. Understand how this unique case study may serve as an analogue for similar island-like features observed on Mars. Hear from experts Jim Garvin and Dan Slayback from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Vicki Ferrini from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, as they discuss their findings and implications for our understanding of geological processes both on Earth and potentially on other planets.