New Island Emerges in the Pacific After Underwater Volcanic Eruptions Off Japan’s Coast

New Island Emerges in the Pacific After Underwater Volcanic Eruptions Off Japan’s Coast.

A remarkable geological event has unfolded off the coast of Japan, where eruptions from an underwater volcano have given birth to a new island in the Pacific Ocean.

This newly formed islet is part of the Ogasawara island chain, situated over 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo.

As reported by Asahi Shimbun, the emergence of this island was officially confirmed on November 1. Notably, this region’s history is intertwined with significant events, as Iwojima Island, formerly known for a major Second World War battle, was nearby.

The emergence of the new island was accompanied by a dramatic spectacle as personnel on Iwojima Island heard a thunderous noise and witnessed sand being propelled high into the air.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported detecting frequent tremors on Iwoto Island, formerly Iwojima Island, starting from October 21. These tremors preceded the volcanic eruptions responsible for the island’s formation.

According to a JMA official, the island’s creation may be attributed to the accumulation of a substantial volume of rocks and stones ejected from the underwater volcano’s crater on the seafloor.

It’s important to note that the region has seen the emergence of new islands in the past. However, these islands typically succumbed to the harsh sea conditions, submerging within a few months. This newly formed islet is a notable occurrence, being the first in the region since 1986.

The volcanic eruptions continue, and officials have issued warnings of potential smoke and substantial ash deposits in the region due to ongoing volcanic activity.

In a related geological discovery earlier this year, digital mapping revealed around 7,000 new islands around Japan, as reported by The Guardian. These findings followed a survey conducted by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, marking the first such survey in 35 years.

It is important to note that, these discoveries did not impact the total land area of Japan, which remains at 37,000 square kilometers.