
IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology
Building Artificial Islands That Rise With the Sea
• http://www.popsci.com, By Katharine GammonThe Maldivian government has started a joint venture with the architectural firm Dutch Docklands International to build the world’s largest artificial floating-island project, which will stay above water no matter how many glaciers melt. In the Netherlands, the company has already built floating islands for prisons and housing from slabs of concrete and polystyrene foam. For the Maldives, it will anchor similar structures to the seabed using cables or telescopic mooring piles, making landforms that are stable even in storms. The design disturbs only a small patch of the seafloor while preserving natural currents. And many smaller islands are more ecologically sound than one large one because they cast smaller shadows on the water, minimizing the impact on sea life. Although the company is starting to build an island for 200 luxury residences and another for a floating golf course this year, it is working on plans to construct islands for more affordable housing next.
1 Comments in Response to Building Artificial Islands That Rise With the Sea
Be careful when you are scuba diving around these artificial islands. Why? Because floating islands need protection from submarines, especially enemy nation submarines. And to help protect against subs, they need sonar. And sonar on the bottom of the islands, used to detect subs and whatever, can be damaging or lethal if you happen to swim into their range of operation.