The planet has given birth to a new island. Welcome to the world!
In an awesome demonstration of how nature destroys and creates simultaneously, the newborn emerged out the sea off the coast of the Japanese island of Iwo Jima in the Pacific Ocean, an island that was the site of a fierce battle during World War II.
It was formed by an undersea volcanic eruption. The new landmass, which is about 100 meters in diameter and 20 meters high, was first spotted by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force on November 1, 2023. The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that the eruption occurred on October 30, 2023, and that it was part of a series of volcanic activities in the area since last year.
The new island is located about 1 kilometer north of Iwo Jima, and about 1,200 kilometers south of mainland Japan. It is part of the Ogasawara Island chain, which is also known as the Bonin Islands. It is made of volcanic ash and rocks that piled up from the sea bed. The photos show a small eruption sending a dark cloud of ash above the tiny island.
Experts say it may not last long due to its “crumbly” nature and erosion by waves. However, if the island is composed of lava or more durable materials, it may survive longer.
The formation of new islands by undersea volcanoes is not uncommon in the Pacific Ocean, which is also called the Ring of Fire due to its high seismic and volcanic activity. In recent years, similar islands have appeared off the coasts of Tonga, Pakistan, and Japan itself.
The Hawaiian Islands are a prime example of a large mass that was created over geological time from this volcanic process.
