I found an island (a real one)

I'm honestly not sure which sub this belongs in, so I'll just drop it here. If this is more of a legal question, maybe an admin can move it to a more appropriate section.

So, while messing around on Google Maps, I stumbled upon an island. It looks like a legitimate landmass, but according to everything else I know, it shouldn't even exist. It’s right there on the map, though. It isn't particularly massive.
Width: 1.7 miles
Length: 2.1 miles
(I used the measurement tool in Google Maps to get those numbers)
I've done some digging online, and there is absolutely no record of this island existing anywhere.


If this turns out to be a genuine, undiscovered island, would I have any legal claim to it?
And more importantly, could I actually name it after myself?

The coordinates for Google Maps are 66°04'36.57" S 150°17'19.88" E
I might have missed the mark slightly, but if you just zoom out a little bit, the island should come into view.

There aren't any unexplored territories left on this planet.
If I recall correctly, Australia claims nearly half of that section of Antarctica.

Feel free to grab a rifle and head out there to plant your own flag. Just let me know how that works out for you. 🙂

You’re quite helpful 🙏
Why don't you come over here and help me find a sock that vanished inside my washing machine? If you actually manage to track it down, feel free to name it after yourself 🙂🤣

I wonder if there’s any oil sitting down there...? Maybe take a look if you get a chance.

Man, this guy is asking a serious question and you guys are just dragging it out and making a scene. It’s an AK-47 from 😂 Carap 🤣
.
I mean, what if it isn't guns? What if it’s actually a massive shipment of cocaine? 🤷 If it really is, why don't you just take a little taste and see which cartel offers the biggest bounty for finding it? 😉

And hey, if they try to offer you your life back first, just say no. That’s such an old trick to test your loyalty before they even think about showing you the money.

Terry Stewart42 said:Is there oil underneath...? Go ahead and look if you think you can handle it.

If I recall correctly, drilling in Antarctica is actually banned by international agreement.😁

Whoever finds it, keeps it.
I’m actually pretty jealous—owning your own private island? That’s the dream.😁

Nicholas Walker88 said:If this actually turns out to be a legitimate, undiscovered island... can I claim it as my own?

Sure you can.

Nicholas Walker88 said:Can I name the island after myself?

Go for it.

Nicholas Walker88 said:I'm not entirely sure where this belongs—maybe under Law? If not, I'll let an admin move it somewhere more appropriate if they see it.

So, while messing around on Google Maps, I stumbled upon this island—it looks like a legitimate island, but according to everything else, it shouldn't actually exist. It’s not massive, though.
Width: 1.7 miles
Length: 2.1 miles
(I used the measurement tool in Google Maps)
I’ve been digging around online, and there's basically zero mention of this place existing at all.


If this really is some undiscovered patch of land, can I claim it?
Could I name it after myself?

Well, you could try to claim it. Whether we're talking about territorial waters or extra-territorial zones—regardless of whether it has an official name or not—you can technically lay claim to settle it and give it your own name, provided it's uninhabited. Even if people live there, if their presence hasn't been officially recognized or politically declared, you've got a shot.
Then again, when you finally make your way out there 😁 — just be prepared for whatever greets you. Ideally—and let's be honest, this is the dream scenario—you'd be met by a solitary woman, someone quite easy on the eyes, and definitely unarmed... maybe looking for a kind word, a warm hug, or just some creative companionship to deepen things. But, if she's been isolated for a long time, her survival instincts might kick in before the romance does; her body might decide whether to kill you or just take what it needs first. 😛
Even if the island is totally ignored by everyone for reasons known or unknown, Australia could always decide—if it feels like it—that you have no business meddling in its military affairs. If you happen to be faster than their patrol boats out in that emptiness, you might find yourself facing US fighter jets, or perhaps a US Navy submarine that was just passing through. Maybe the commander has been inactive for a while and decides this is the most interesting thing he's seen in decades—a chance to prove himself one last time before retirement...
And they won't stop to ask if you're Julian Assange: they'll just act, you can count on that...
😂

It looks more like a massive ice run when things go south or if you take a closer look...

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