Five Islands (Nova Scotia)

The Five Islands are a group of five small islands with a total area of ​​just under 1 sq. km off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. The names of the islands from east to west are:

• Moose ( elk)
• Diamond ( diamond)
• Long ( long)
• Egg ( Egg )
• Pinnacle (needle)

The names refer to the shape of the individual islands. The biggest and the mainland closest island is Moose. This island was inhabited only one of the Five Islands. According to a legend, the Mi'kmaq, the islands were created by the god Glooscap, as this anchorage units thrown into the water.

Geologically, the Five Islands part of a basalt area, which was formed about 200 million years ago in the Jurassic sandstone and covered from the Triassic period. Where the harder basalt covered the softer sandstone rock remained as the Five Islands consist while the unprotected sandstone eroded around much faster. The various rock layers can be seen clearly on Moose - light gray basalt is above the reddish sandstone.

The Five Islands are located in the Minas Basin and are surrounded by a watt. Because of the large tidal range of up to 15 meters individual islands are interconnected at low tide and it is possible to achieve Moose Iceland on foot.

Administratively, the island group belongs to the municipality Five Islands in Colchester County.