Dubai Google Earth Shots

[Stu]

Thought these were some cool shots of the islands they are building in Dubai.

Work in progress:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=25.238985,55.197603&spn=0.00412,0.005541&t=h&z=18&om=1

Finished island:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=25.220802,55.139603&spn=0.003392,0.007167&z=18

Check out the yachts, pool and helicoptor pad.

There is some serious freakin money in Dubai.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

ok... so I just checked out Google Street for the first time, and damn that is freaky! But it's awesome at the same time. Eventually I wouldn't be surprised if Google had a picture of everything in the US on that map.

[Pared]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Wait... they're building a man made island?

Those shots were gorgeous... the water looked so much better than my office right now haha.

[Graphik]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

I read about this some time ago. You gotta have some serious paper to build an island.

[Stu]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Wait... they're building a man made island?

Those shots were gorgeous... the water looked so much better than my office right now haha.

Building man made islands. Zoom out a little and you'll see. I think eventually it's supoosed to look like this:

[Double Eights]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Building man made islands. Zoom out a little and you'll see. I think eventually it's supoosed to look like this:

So they are building man made islands to look like Earth's continents?

Badass. I'd like to visit.

[pk500]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Strange question: How DO you build an island? Any engineers here?

Do you drop forms into the water until they hit the ocean floor and then fill the space inside the forms with sand and other material? And once the forms are removed, what keeps all of that mass from being washed away?

I know that's the technique used to build piers for bridges, but those piers are concrete. So when the form is removed, there's a solid structure.

How the hell do you build an island? I'd love some insight.

Thanks,
PK

[Pared]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Damn cam... that's so freakin' COOL!

Great post. Hadn't heard a thing about it prior to this. Thanks.

[kellkasey]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

There are TONS of shows on History, Discover, etc...talking about this engineering project. It's incredibly complicated as you'd imagine.

Project 1: The Palm Tree Island thingy---if u have seen this it's already complete. Same concept...just the islands look like a huge palm tree shape...filled with hotels, apartments, etc...looks like the Vegas strip almost.

Project 2: The Earth---which is what you're seeing now in this thread.

[Graphik]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Strange question: How DO you build an island? Any engineers here?

Do you drop forms into the water until they hit the ocean floor and then fill the space inside the forms with sand and other material? And once the forms are removed, what keeps all of that mass from being washed away?

I know that's the technique used to build piers for bridges, but those piers are concrete. So when the form is removed, there's a solid structure.

How the hell do you build an island? I'd love some insight.

Thanks,
PK

I believe the space they picked was shallow enough to just pour sand onto the ocean floor until it crested over the ocean surface. With enough sand packed tight it becomes an unmovable force.

[Stu]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Here's some more info on the Wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_(archipelago)

Apparently the 2nd image I posted is their model island.

[pk500]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

I believe the space they picked was shallow enough to just pour sand onto the ocean floor until it crested over the ocean surface. With enough sand packed tight it becomes an unmovable force.

Cool. Thanks. What a b*tchin' engineering project. And mucho dosh required, as everyone has said.

Take care,
PK

[Stu]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

I read about this some time ago. You gotta have some serious paper to build an island.

They cost $15-$45 million per island. The total project is $14 billion.

You guys want to chip in for an island? Maybe Steve can buy it as a new perk for donators.

[Stu]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

http://www.theworld.ae/mp_terra.html

This page has a picture of the ship shooting the sand. (FYI, there is sound played when you open this page)

[jmood88]

Re: Dubai Google Earth Shots

Cool. Thanks. What a b*tchin' engineering project. And mucho dosh required, as everyone has said.

Take care,
PK

The people in Dubai have ridiculous money.