DOVER - In what can only be considered a geographic miracle, the entire state of Delaware has seemingly sunk into the Atlantic Ocean, presumably at some point between December and last Tuesday.

It was reported missing last week when a concerned traveler noticed a distinct lack of gas stations in the motor corridor between Maryland and New Jersey.

Although no one seems able to say for certain when the state went missing, a businessman from Hoboken claims to have driven through it at some point before Christmas.

How could a state go missing for so long? Geographer Jessica Paul attempted to explain this phenomenon.

“Name one city from Delaware. And don’t look at anything. Just name one. Exactly. Do you know anyone from Delaware? No. Do you know of any businesses, restaurants, or family members in Delaware? No. Delicacies? No.”

Paul has been tasked by the U.S. Department of the Interior to explain the state’s disappearance. She has been given a budget of $57 USD and a ‘low priority’ classification.

“No one noticed because there isn’t anything to do in Delaware. I mean the gas stations are nice, but you can’t base an economy around that.”

When asked about the logistics of the coastal state’s plummet into the briney deep, Ms. Paul admits she has few leads.

"Tectonics? I mean, yeah, maybe, tectonics.”

There are silver linings, however. The US Department of Education recently reported that most school maps “forgot to print Delaware anyways,” (such as the map accompanying this article) and will not need to be replaced.

Furthermore, Delaware's absence frees up the much-envied title of “first state” for Pennsylvania, a state with many things to do and places to go. Controversy has erupted as to whether the commonwealth is entitled to this declaration, however.

When reached for comment, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania was “pretty pumped” about the new license plates.