- Landsat Island
Landsat Island is a small uninhabited island located 20 km off the northeast coast of
Labrador (part of the Canadian province ofNewfoundland and Labrador ). It was discovered in 1976 during the analysis of imagery from theLandsat 1 satellite and comprises a total area of only 25 m by 45 m (1,125 m²).Discovery
In 1976, a Canadian coastal survey was carried out using data from the Landsat 1 satellite. Analysis of the data revealed the existence of several previously uncharted features including Landsat Island, which was subsequently named after the satellite. Verification of the island's existence fell to Dr. Frank Hall of the
Canadian Hydrographic Service :Following Dr. Hall's encounter with the polar bear, it was suggested that the island be named "Polar Island",Fact|date=February 2008 but the present name was retained.
Landsat Island marks the eastern most point of the Canadian land mass on the Labrador coast. As such, its discovery increased Canada's territory by 68 km².
Flora and fauna
Since Landsat Island is completely covered with ice, no plants are known to exist there. As experienced by Dr. Hall, however, it appears that
polar bear s frequent the island. As of 2006, no extensive studies of flora or fauna have been conducted there.External links
* [http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/news/news-archive/dyk_0001.html NASA article: Landsat Island] (April 19, 2006)
* David H. Gray, [http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/ibru/publications/full/bsb8-2_gray.pdf "Discovering Rocks off Labrador: A Photo Essay"] , "IBRU Boundary and Security Bulletin", Summer 2000.coord|60|10|37|N|64|2|30|W|region:CA-NL_type:isle|display=title
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
