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Sable Island: the Strange Origins and Curious History of a Dune Adrift in the Atlantic.


About an hour's plane ride due east of Halifax, Nova Scotia For other uses, see Halifax.
Halifax, Nova Scotia may refer to any of the following:
  • Halifax Regional Municipality, capital of Nova Scotia, Canada
, sits Sable Island Sable Island, low, sandy island, 25 mi (40 km) long and 1 mi (1.6 km) wide, off N.S., Canada, SE of Halifax. It is the exposed part of a sand shoal that stretches northeast-southwest for more than 100 mi (160 km). . It's about 30 miles long and not much more than a dune. There is nothing between it and Europe. There is not one tree on Sable Island, and no vegetation reaches a height of more than a few feet. Feral horses and grey seals are among the creatures that call the place home. Historically, the island has been a treacherous find for mariners. It's estimated that more than 500 ships have wrecked on the island's shores and that thousands of sailors have perished as a result.

Today, there are only two fulltime residents--a pair of scientists who brave the inhospitable conditions in order to study this unusual barrier island. De Villiers de Villiers may refer to:
  • De Villiers (surname)
  • Abraham de Villiers, a current South African international cricketer (also known as AB de Villiers)
  • Fanie de Villiers, a former South African cricketer
 and Hirtle document the history of Sable Island, explaining how massive waves constantly pummel pum·mel  
tr.v. pum·meled also pum·melled, pum·mel·ing also pum·mel·ling, pum·mels also pum·mels
To beat, as with the fists; pommel: The angry crowd pummeled the thief.
 it and keep it in constant flux. At one time, the island was 70 miles longer and closer to shore. Might it inch its way over the continental shelf and sink? Will it continue to shrink, or will it grow? How do ocean currents, tides, and winds affect the island? What are its glacial origins? The authors address all these questions as well as Sable's history and lore among seafarers
For Seafarers International Union and affiliates, see Seafarers International Union of North America.
''Note: This article title may be easily confused with The Seafarer.
. Walker & CO, 2004, 276 p., hardcover, $24.00.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
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No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2004, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Publication:Science News
Article Type:Brief Article
Geographic Code:1CNOV
Date:Nov 27, 2004
Words:219
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