{"id":592022,"date":"2026-11-05T16:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T05:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/cyprus-island-of-snakes-cats-and-ophiolites\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T16:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T05:01:00","slug":"cyprus-island-of-snakes-cats-and-ophiolites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=592022","title":{"rendered":"Cyprus: Island of Snakes, Cats, and Ophiolites"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Earth Observatory<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 hds-secondary-navigation-has-breadcrumbs\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-breadcrumbs display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-flex flex-align-center\">\n<nav class=\"usa-breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list\">\n<li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/\" class=\"usa-breadcrumb__link\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Science<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\" class=\"usa-breadcrumb__link\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Earth Observatory<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item usa-current\" aria-current=\"page\"><span>Cyprus: Island of Snakes,\u2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\">\n<nav>\n<ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\">\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth Observatory<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/image-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Image of the Day<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/explorer\/\" rel=\"noopener\">EO Explorer<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Topics<\/span><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/\" rel=\"noopener\">All Topics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/atmosphere\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Atmosphere<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/land\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Land<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/heat-radiation\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Heat &#038; 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Gray urban areas around Limassol spread across the landscape north of the lake, and the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea surround the peninsula to the south. (opens in a new tab)\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1880\" height=\"1253\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/island-of-snakes,-cats,-and-ophiolites\/akrotirisaltlake_oli_20261010.jpg?w=1880&amp;h=1253&amp;%23038;fit=clip&amp;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1880x1253 size-1880x1253\" alt=\"The bright salt flats of Akrotiri Salt Lake stand out in a satellite image of the Akrotiri peninsula. Gray urban areas around Limassol spread across the landscape north of the lake, and the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea surround the peninsula to the south.\" style=\"transform: scale(1);transform-origin: 50% 50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Seasonal rains had started to fill Akrotiri Salt Lake when the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-8\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 8<\/a> captured this image of Cyprus\u2019s <em>Akrotiri <\/em>Peninsula on October 10, 2026.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Michala Garrison<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The island of Cyprus began to form some 90 million years ago during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/Cretaceous-Period\" rel=\"noopener\">Late Cretaceous<\/a>, with molten rock pouring from the seafloor, solidifying, and building new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebsco.com\/research-starters\/earth-and-atmospheric-sciences\/oceanic-crust\/\" rel=\"noopener\">oceanic crust<\/a>. Over time, portions of this oceanic rock were wrenched upward by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earthdata.nasa.gov\/topics\/solid-earth\/tectonics\" rel=\"noopener\">tectonic forces<\/a>, eventually emerging as a rugged island made of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebsco.com\/research-starters\/geology\/ophiolites\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ophiolite<\/a>, a type of rock with a mottled green appearance said to look like the skin of a snake. Remnants of that ancient island are still visible in the dark rocks of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geolsoc.org.uk\/science-and-policy\/plate-tectonic-stories\/troodos-ophiolite\/?srsltid=AYCX9vLODtTiE69RwooWj32JWBUIiqlhwdj-7ldMLEAYUHo-jpGVdHys\" rel=\"noopener\">Troodos Mountains<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/Miocene-Epoch\" rel=\"noopener\">Miocene<\/a>, considerably younger layers of chalk, limestone, marl, and other marine <a href=\"https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/sedimentary-rock\/\" rel=\"noopener\">sedimentary rocks<\/a> accumulated around the island, providing material that developed into a second, smaller island to the south during a later period of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/uplift\" rel=\"noopener\">geologic uplift<\/a>. Over time, sediment poured from rivers into the channel separating the two islands and combined with marine sediments to create deltas and eventually two land bridges, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/tombolo\" rel=\"noopener\">tombolos<\/a>. The joined landmass comprises the <a href=\"https:\/\/visitakrotiri.cy\/akrotiri-peninsula-at-a-glance\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Akrotiri Peninsula<\/a>, now the southernmost tip of Cyprus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sandy edges of the peninsula were visible when <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-8\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 8<\/a> captured these images on October 10, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitcyprus.com\/discover-cyprus\/nature\/excursions\/akrotiri-salt-lake\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Akrotiri Salt Lake<\/a>, a coastal lagoon that was once an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, lies between the two tombolos. The more westerly feature, the Kouris River tombolo, formed first, developing about 50,000 years ago from river-deposited gravels and sands. The eastern tombolo extended southward from Cyprus, cutting off the Mediterranean Sea only within the past 2,000 years, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3263\/11\/8\/321\" rel=\"noopener\">according to geologists<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lake\u2019s water levels now vary markedly with the seasons, typically filling in the late autumn and winter and drying out in the summer. The influx of winter water has historically attracted sizable overwintering flamingo populations, averaging about 4,000 birds. However, the wintering flamingo population has declined in recent years, plummeting to 30 birds in 2025, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/en.philenews.com\/local\/flamingo-numbers-in-cyprus-hit-historic-low\/\" rel=\"noopener\">news reports<\/a>. Flamingos have long flocked to the lake to feed on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/fairy-shrimp\" rel=\"noopener\">fairy shrimp<\/a>, which are rich in colorful substances called carotenoids that give the birds their <a href=\"https:\/\/nationalzoo.si.edu\/animals\/news\/why-are-flamingos-pink-and-other-flamingo-facts\" rel=\"noopener\">famously pink hue<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Snakes are another of the island\u2019s more notorious animal inhabitants. In antiquity, Cyprus was known as Ophiousa<em>, or \u201c<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/rel12090738\" rel=\"noopener\">land of snakes<\/a><em>,\u201d <\/em>likely due to its robust population of<em> <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.speciesconservation.org\/small-grant\/blunt-nosed-viper\/7726\" rel=\"noopener\">blunt-nosed vipers<\/a><em>. <\/em>According to legend, the island\u2019s snake communities grew to be so problematic during a drought in the fourth century that the Roman Empress <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Saint-Helena\" rel=\"noopener\">Helena<\/a>, mother of Constantine the Great, called for shiploads of cats to be sent from Egypt to control the venomous reptiles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first feline imports were released in a particularly snake-infested area on the southeastern part of the Akrotiri Peninsula, an area that came to be known as Cape Gata (Cape Cat in Greek). The cape today is still home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlasobscura.com\/places\/holy-monastery-of-saint-nicholas-of-the-cats\" rel=\"noopener\">Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats<\/a>, a place where legend says that monks encouraged newly arrived Egyptian cats to hunt snakes. Today, Cyprus has as many cats as people, with more than <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/cyprus-cats-felines-population-sterilization-000eb683385513e6ff3761840714520a\" rel=\"noopener\">one million<\/a> of the feline predators stalking the island. The handful of nuns who now live in the monastery still care for hundreds of cats, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stnicholascenter.org\/gazetteer\/3706\" rel=\"noopener\">St. Nicholas Center<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/island-of-snakes,-cats,-and-ophiolites\/cyprus_oli_20261010.jpg\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"The Troodos Mountains\u2019 vegetation and dark underlying rocks make a swath of land in the southwestern part of the island appear darker green than the rest of the island. (opens in a new tab)\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/island-of-snakes,-cats,-and-ophiolites\/cyprus_oli_20261010.jpg?w=2048&amp;h=1365&amp;%23038;fit=clip&amp;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x1365 size-2048x1365\" alt=\"The Troodos Mountains\u2019 vegetation and dark underlying rocks make a swath of land in the southwestern part of the island appear darker green than the rest of the island.\" style=\"transform: scale(1);transform-origin: 50% 50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A broader image of Cyprus captured by the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-8\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 8<\/a> shows the western half of the island on October 10, 2026.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Michala Garrison<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/earthexplorer.usgs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em> <em>Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"319\" height=\"319\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/island-of-snakes,-cats,-and-ophiolites\/akrotirisaltlake_oli_20261010_lrg.jpg\/jcr:content\/renditions\/cq5dam.thumbnail.319.319.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"The Troodos Mountains\u2019 vegetation and dark underlying rocks make a swath of land in the southwestern part of the island appear darker green than the rest of the island.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2);transform-origin: 45% 41%;object-position: 45% 41%;object-fit: cover\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">October 10, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (42.59 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a aria-label=\"Download October 10, 2026\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/island-of-snakes,-cats,-and-ophiolites\/akrotirisaltlake_oli_20261010_lrg.jpg\" download rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources <\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AP (2025, October 14) <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/cyprus-cats-felines-population-sterilization-000eb683385513e6ff3761840714520a\" rel=\"noopener\">Cyprus has a cat problem: One feline for every resident<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Atlas Obscura <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlasobscura.com\/places\/holy-monastery-of-saint-nicholas-of-the-cats\" rel=\"noopener\">Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>BirdLife Cyprus (2025, November 17) <a href=\"https:\/\/birdlifecyprus.org\/when-the-salt-lakes-turn-pink-the-greater-flamingos-of-cyprus\/\" rel=\"noopener\">When the Salt Lakes\u00a0turn\u00a0pink: The Greater Flamingos of Cyprus<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>BirdLife Cyprus <a href=\"https:\/\/birdlifecyprus.org\/akrotiri\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Akrotiri Peninsula SOS<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>BirdLife Cyprus (2024) <a href=\"https:\/\/birdlifecyprus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/JEF-Report_Dec2024_noAnnexes.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">A Review of the Hydrology &#038; Ecology of the Akrotiri Peninsula wetlands<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>The Geological Society, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geolsoc.org.uk\/science-and-policy\/plate-tectonic-stories\/troodos-ophiolite\/?srsltid=AYCX9vJU7XfI3p30fQWfZ_YlrjDfN8w2c_ZoKfoHuqhW0Xh-bibGX4vO\" rel=\"noopener\">Troodos Ophiolite, Cyprus<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>James, S., <em>et al.<\/em> (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00758914.2021.1887647\" rel=\"noopener\">From phantom town to maritime cultural landscape and beyond: Dreamer\u2019s Bay Roman-Byzantine \u2018port\u2019, the Akrotiri Peninsula, Cyprus, and eastern Mediterranean maritime communications<\/a>. <em>The Journal of the Council for British Research in Levant, <\/em>52(3).<\/li>\n<li>Kyriacou, C. (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/rel12090738\" rel=\"noopener\">Saints, Sacred Trees, and Snakes: Popular Religion, Hierotopy, Byzantine Culture, and Insularity in Cyprus during the Long Middle Ages<\/a>. <em>Religions<\/em>, 12(9), 738.<\/li>\n<li>Philenews (2025, February 19) <a href=\"https:\/\/en.philenews.com\/local\/flamingo-numbers-in-cyprus-hit-historic-low\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.philenews.com\/local\/flamingo-numbers-in-cyprus-hit-historic-low\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Flamingo numbers in Cyprus hit historic low<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Polidorou, M. &#038; Evelpidou, N. \u00a0(2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/geosciences11110448\" rel=\"noopener\">Geomorphology of the Coastal Sand Dune Fields and Their Association with the Palaeolandscape Evolution of Akrotiri Peninsula, Lemesos, Cyprus<\/a>. <em>Geosciences<\/em>, 11(11), 448.<\/li>\n<li>Polidorou, M., <em>et al.<\/em> (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/geosciences11080321\" rel=\"noopener\">Observations on Palaeogeographical Evolution of Akrotiri Salt Lake, Lemesos, Cyprus<\/a>. <em>Geosciences, 11(8), 321.<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Robertson, A. (1998) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.semanticscholar.org\/paper\/Mesozoic-Tertiary-tectonic-evolution-of-the-area%3A-Robertson\/368840565209a435225ca79a6fd1d8cfc2401af8\" rel=\"noopener\">Mesozoic-Tertiary tectonic evolution of the easternmost Mediterranean area: integration of marine and land evidence<\/a>. <em>Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program<\/em>, 160.<\/li>\n<li>St. Nicholas Center, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stnicholascenter.org\/gazetteer\/3706\" rel=\"noopener\">St. Nicholas of the Cats\u2014Ayios Nikolaos ton Gaton\u2014Monastery<\/a>. Accessed November 4, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-0d496548-42af-4585-9354-2cc322a65843\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" data-starting-query=\"{\" data-current-query=\"{\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div 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50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/new-zealand&apos;s-southern-wilderness\/nzstewartisland_oli2_20260514_th.jpg?fit=clip&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&amp;%23038;w=300&amp;%23038;h=200\"><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/new-zealands-southern-wilderness\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">New Zealand\u2019s Southern Wilderness<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Stewart Island\/Rakiura, New Zealand\u2019s third-largest island, is known for its vibrant birdlife, unique forests, wilderness beaches, and views of the\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/what-lake-bonneville-left-behind\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-no-id=\"true\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1);transform-origin: 50% 50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/what-lake-bonneville-left-behind\/craterisland_oli_20260604_th.jpg?fit=clip&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&amp;%23038;w=300&amp;%23038;h=200\"><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a 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content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-no-id=\"true\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1);transform-origin: 50% 50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/the-battle-for-sullivan&apos;s-island\/sc_sullivansisland_oli_20260603_th.jpg?fit=clip&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&amp;%23038;w=300&amp;%23038;h=200\"><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/the-battle-for-sullivans-island\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">The Battle for Sullivan\u2019s Island<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    5 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 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margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More from NASA Earth Science<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/subscribe\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Subscribe to Earth Observatory 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hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Observatory Image of the Day<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">NASA&#8217;s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=864&amp;%23038;fit=clip&amp;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x864 size-1536x864\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1);transform-origin: 50% 50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Explore Earth Science<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1536&amp;%23038;fit=clip&amp;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1);transform-origin: 50% 50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Open access to NASA\u2019s archive of Earth science data<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x768 size-1536x768\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1);transform-origin: 50% 50%;object-position: 50% 50%;object-fit: cover\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The third-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea exposes an ancient piece of the ocean floor and hosts a clowder of 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