WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The disappearance of an American island in a Pacific Ocean state, puzzled by climate scientists and the shock of officials in the country, has sparked a phenomenon that is considered one of the rare climatic phenomena, US media reported.
Climate experts said East Island, one of the eight main islands in the US state, had completely disappeared as a hurricane hit the region, causing water levels to rise and burying the entire island.
Hurricane "Waka" hit the island a few days ago, one of the most powerful hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean, with a combined wind speed of 257 km per hour and was classified as a Category 5 hurricane.
The disaster-stricken island is a marine sanctuary, home to the Hawaiian Seaboard and a number of endangered sea turtles, according to CNN.
Climate scientists have been shocked by satellite scans of the area hit by the hurricane, finding the island completely lost due to the force of the hurricane and the dramatic rise in water levels.