Head Topics

Life on Willis Island in the Coral Sea, one of the world's most remote weather stations

  • 📰 abcnews
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 48 sec. here
  • 9 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 46%
  • Publisher: 83%

Goodnews News

Willis Island,Bureau Of Meteorology,Weather Station

Willis Island's four locals are paid to keep one the world's most far-flung weather observatories running, and spend six months of the year with no fresh food deliveries or face-to-face contact with the outside world.

For the island's only residents, who work as weather observers for the Bureau of Meteorology , isolation comes with the territory. Willis Island is one of the world's most remote weather station s.

"You watch head over the horizon and walk back up to the station with just the four of you, and it kind of sinks in," Mr Tom said."This summer tour means that we've been away for Christmas, and New Years, and will all have our birthdays out here on the island."They grow fresh herbs and vegetables to complement their food stocks and get fresh water from a desalination plant.

Cyclone Yasi in 2011 caused extensive damage to the station's equipment, as well as the island's flora and fauna. But their excitement soon mingled with anxiety when the system made a dogleg turn directly for the island. After 11 days on the mainland, the team returned to the island, which had suffered only minor damage.

"In the wet season, we're getting cyclones and storms and rain continuously, not to mention the deleterious effects of having 10,000 birds cohabiting on the island," Mr Tom said.)

Willis Island Bureau Of Meteorology Weather Station Cyclone Jasper Weather Coral Sea Isolation

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 5. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Coral bleaching event unfolding in Coral SeaCoral bleaching event unfolding in Coral Sea
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

The Transformative Power of an AccidentCaroline Laner Breure's life takes a new direction after a life-altering accident.
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Mass coral bleaching on Great Barrier Reef sparks fear of global eventThe latest event in Australia follows mass bleaching in the northern hemisphere, sparking fears of a destructive global event.
Source: theage - 🏆 8. / 77 Read more »

Concern over mass coral bleaching stretching from Great Barrier Reef to south-east QueenslandThey're not as famous as the iconic Great Barrier Reef, but vibrant and bustling coral reefs between Bundaberg and Moreton Bay, off Brisbane, are equally under threat with signs they're 'starving to death'.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Mass Coral Bleaching Event in Great Barrier ReefTour boat divers in Queensland's Great Barrier Reef have witnessed the fifth mass coral bleaching event in eight years. Scuba diving instructor Elliot Peters has had to explain to guests why the corals are turning white, a result of global heating and record ocean temperatures. This alarming trend is causing ancient boulder corals, which can live for hundreds of years, to bleach and show signs of death.
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Fani Willis accepts resignation of deputy Nathan Wade in Trump Georgia caseResignation comes after judge handed down ruling capping off series of hearings that investigated Wade and Willis’s relationship
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »