Japan added another island to its already amazing collection of islands, as a newly formed landmass emerged following a series of explosive undersea volcanic eruptions, located 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) south of Tokyo.
The astounding phenomenon occurred near Iwoto island, which is part of the Ogasawara island chain in the western Pacific.
Fukashi Maeno, an associate professor at Tokyo University’s earthquake research institute, confirmed the existence of this newfound landmass, created by phreatomagmatic eruptions. These eruptions are characterized by their explosive nature resulting from magma interacting with water.
The newly formed island boasts a diameter of approximately 100 meters.
Impressive visuals
Maeno, who conducted an aerial survey at the end of October, described a breathtaking scene of plumes of smoke and ash, reaching heights of more than 50 meters, erupting every few minutes. Large rocks were witnessed hurtling through the air, and bands of brown pumice stones floated in the sea, which had changed color due to the eruption.
Iwoto Island
Iwoto, known for being the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War and one of Japan’s 111 active volcanoes, is located near another new island that formed after a volcanic eruption in 2021.
It’s worth noting that Iwoto Island was previously known as Iwo Jima but was renamed by Japanese authorities in 2007.
This region is no stranger to dramatic volcanic activity. Japan’s meteorological agency reported similar eruptions near Iwoto between July and December last year, as well as in June this year.
Maeno’s findings indicate that magmatic activity has returned to the area, raising the possibility of further growth and changes in the new island’s shape. However, it’s important to note that islands formed in a similar manner in the area in 1904, 1914, and 1986 ultimately disappeared due to erosion.
Newly formed islands, composed of ash and rock fragments, can be susceptible to erosion from the constant pounding of waves. Yet, ongoing volcanic activity may lead to the development of lava flows, creating a more durable surface.
In a curious turn of events in 2013, weeks of volcanic activity gave birth to an island that merged with an existing island, briefly bearing a striking resemblance to the iconic cartoon dog Snoopy.
Japanese archipelago
Earlier this year, geographers made a surprising discovery, revealing that the Japanese archipelago, previously believed to consist of four main islands and approximately 6,000 smaller and mostly uninhabited islands, actually comprises double that number. Thanks to digital mapping technology, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan identified a total of 14,125 islands, a staggering 7,273 more than previously estimated.
While Japan celebrates the addition of new islands, it also occasionally witnesses the disappearance of existing ones.
In 2018, Esanbe Hanakita Kojima, located 500 meters off the coast of Hokkaido, silently slipped beneath the waves, remaining unnoticed until author Hiroshi Shimizu’s visit to the area for a sequel to his picture book on Japan’s “hidden” islands.