The Sudden Halt of Sand Accumulation

The disappearance of these three islands wasn’t due to rising sea levels, as many might assume. Instead, it occurred because the addition of sand to the islands suddenly stopped or was drastically reduced. In this region, it's common for sand and other sediments to be in constant movement, shifting across the coastal landscape due to ocean currents, storms, and waves.

Until recently, it was believed that the three Wadden Sea islands had existed for around 8,000 years. However, new research has shown otherwise. Whether other Wadden Sea islands have undergone similar changes is still uncertain, but there are indications that they may have experienced comparable developments over the past millennia.