Online Explorer Tool: The Global Island Explorer
Description
Although ocean islands are ubiquitous on the planet, and are homes to a stunning variety of people, plants, and animals, there have been surprisingly few attempts to accurately delineate all the islands on Earth. Every landmass, no matter how big, is surrounded by ocean waters. Island sizes range from continental (e.g. Africa), to very large (e.g. Madagascar) to large (e.g. Tasmania) to medium (e.g. Maui), to small (e.g. Key West) to very small islands and tiny rock outcrops. Size is relative, however, and there is no accepted standard for what separates big islands from small islands. A new mapping of global coastlines from satellite imagery was used to develop a new global islands database, which can be accessed using the new Global Island Explorer (GIE). The new islands data are also available for download.
Accessing the Global Island Explorer
To access Global Island Explorer, please refer to the following link (no login required): https://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/gie/gie.shtml