Japan's Expanding Territory? ... New Island Discovered Due to Volcanic Eruption

An Island Created by Undersea Volcanic Activity
Possibility of Merging with Iojima

A new island has emerged in the sea off Iojima Island, Japan. Formed by sedimented rocks from nearby volcanic activity, it is expected to become the "newest island in the world."

On the 9th (local time), according to US CNN and Japan NHK broadcasts, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a new rocky island was created by an underwater volcanic eruption near Iojima in the Ogasawara Islands.

Volcanic ash erupting from a new island formed near Iojima [Image source=Yonhap News]

This island is located about 1 km south off Iojima, approximately 1200 km south of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The Meteorological Agency stated that the underwater volcanic activity caused rocks to accumulate, forming about 300 meters of land. However, the shape of the island is gradually changing due to wave erosion.

This is the first time new land has appeared near the coast of Iojima. Earlier, on the 1st, the Maritime Self-Defense Force captured footage of the island rising above the sea, revealing the new island's shape to the public.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, underwater volcanic eruptions were detected at intervals of several minutes in the sea south of Iojima starting from the 21st of last month. It was reported that black ash mixed water columns rose up to 100 meters high. The Earthquake Research Institute of the University of Tokyo predicted, "If volcanic activity continues, the island could grow larger."

Island photographed by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force [Image source=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]

The main sediment forming the island's land is pumice. Pumice is a rock formed when magma ejected from a volcano cools rapidly, characterized by many holes. The island also contains a large amount of sediment, making it possible that it could be washed away by waves in the future.

Meanwhile, volcanic eruption activity has gradually decreased since around the 4th, and volcanic tremors detected during eruptions are also reported to be declining. However, experts predict that if volcanic activity continues, the island will remain and may eventually merge with Iojima. According to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, the island's area has increased by about 1.3 times over the past nine years due to active volcanic activity.