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Google Earth Captures Tsunami Striking Fiji Island

Giant tsunami wave captured in Google EarthIt’s a Friday, so I thought I would share with you this interesting find from GEB reader Peter K. It appears Google Earth captured a giant tsunami about to strike this remote island in the Pacific. You can see it yourself right here . No tricks, this is really inside Google Earth! However, this isn’t a real wave. Instead this is an anomalie in Google Earth’s terrain data. The world is a big place, and 3D terrain data is based on billions of data points and then later processed to remove errors. However, not all errors are properly processed, so you occasionally get anomalies like this. These errors can be reported to the GE Data Error Compendium, and eventually Google fixes them.
Here are some other interesting data errors found (terrain, imagery, and other errors). Some of these errors may have been fixed, but others are still there:

About Frank Taylor

Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.

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PLEASE NOTE: Google Earth Blog is no longer writing regular posts. As a result, we are not accepting new comments or questions about Google Earth. If you have a question, use the official Google Earth and Maps Forums or the Google Earth Community Forums.

Comments

  1. Anon says

    Bonjour,
    Pardonnez-moi, but you’ve translated the English word “anomaly” into the french “anomalie”.
    But, interessant stuff…
    GE does create erreurs.
    A bientot,
    Anon

  4. David says

    There is another one on a neighbouring island:
    16° 5’31.23″S, 179° 9’17.48″W
    I haven’t reported this.

  7. arif says

    Please re image my city of nizamabad in andhrapradesh india.
    SATTELITE CAMERA Image of my city is too old , my city is corporation and district capital , it is very disheartening to see other small town’s new images with advanced illusion but my city being bigger than them looks very bad and old,
    Please help and paste new camera view of “NIZAMABAD” ANDHRA PRADEH INDIA



PLEASE NOTE: Google Earth Blog is no longer writing regular posts. As a result, we are not accepting new comments or questions about Google Earth. If you have a question, use the official Google Earth and Maps Forums or the Google Earth Community Forums.