Vanished Islands and Hidden Continents of the Pacific (Latitude 20 Books (Hardcover))

Islands--as well as entire continents--are reputed to have disappeared in many parts of the world. Yet there is little information on this subject concerning its largest ocean, the Pacific. Over the years, geologists have amassed data that point to the undeniable fact of islands having disappeared in the Pacific, a phenomenon that the oral traditions of many groups of Pacific Islanders also highlight. There are even a few instances where fragments of Pacific continents have disappeared, becoming hidden from view rather than being submerged. In this scientifically rigorous yet readily comprehensible account of the fascinating subject of vanished islands and hidden continents in the Pacific, the author ranges far and wide, from explanations of the region's ancient history to the meanings of island myths. Using both original and up-to-date information, he shows that there is real value in bringing together myths and the geological understanding of land movements. A description of the Pacific Basin and the "ups and downs" of the land within its vast ocean is followed by chapters explaining how--long before humans arrived in this part of the world--islands and continents that no longer exist were once present. A succinct account is given of human settlement of the region and the establishment of cultural contexts for the observation of occasional catastrophic earth-surface changes and their encryption in folklore. The author also addresses the persistent myths of a "sunken continent" in the Pacific, which became widespread after European arrival and were subsequently incorporated into new age and pseudoscience explanations of our planet and its inhabitants. Finally, he presents original data and research on island disappearances witnessed by humans, recorded in oral and written traditions, and judged by geoscience to be authentic. Examples are drawn from throughout the Pacific, showing that not only have islands collapsed, and even vanished, within the past few hundred years, but that they are also liable to do so in the future. Examples are drawn from throughout the Pacific, showing that not only have islands collapsed, and even vanished, within the past few hundred years, but that they are also liable to do so in the future. Geologists Have Amassed Data That Indicate That Islands Have Disappeared In The Pacific, A Phenomenon That Oral Traditions Of Many Groups Of Pacific Islanders Also Highlight. This Book Explores The Issue Of Vanished Islands In The Pacific By Bringing Together The Geology And The Myths. Introduction: A Personal Odyssey -- The Earth's Dynamic Third: The Pacific Basin -- Islands That Vanished Long Ago -- Ancient Continents Hidden By Time -- The Coming Of Humans To The Pacific -- Mythical Islands In Pacific Islander Traditions -- Mythical Continents Of The Pacific -- Vanishing Islands: Processes Of Island Disappearance Witnessed By Humans -- Recently Vanished Islands In The Pacific -- Vanished Islands Of The Future -- Vanished Islands And Hidden Continents In The World's Oceans: Last Thoughts. Patrick D. Nunn. A Latitude 20 Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [241]-263) And Index. Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 1 Introduction: A Personal Odyssey......Page 16 2 The Earth’s Dynamic Third: The Pacific Basin......Page 22 3 Islands That Vanished Long Ago......Page 50 4 Ancient Continents Hidden by Time......Page 77 5 The Coming of Humans to the Pacific......Page 86 6 Mythical Islands in Pacific Islander Traditions......Page 101 7 Mythical Continents of the Pacific......Page 123 8 Vanishing Islands: Processes of Island DisappearanceWitnessed by Humans......Page 145 9 Recently Vanished Islands in the Pacific......Page 162 10 Vanished Islands of the Future......Page 197 11 Vanished Islands and Hidden Continents in the World’s Oceans:Last Thoughts......Page 210 Appendix 1......Page 216 Appendix 2......Page 220 Notes......Page 224 References......Page 256 Index......Page 280