New Island Appears in Japan After Undersea Volcano Erupts
- Istimewa
Japan – In late October 2023, amazing natural thing took place in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Japan's Ogasawara Islands, known as the Bonin Islands.
A new island suddenly appeared out of volcanic ash, after an undersea volcanic eruption 1,200km (745 miles) south of Tokyo created a new landmass.
Volcanologist Setsuya Nakada from the University of Tokyo explains that this eruption began as a dense jet of magma that shot high above the waves, creating a continuous vertical jet.
Pulau Baru di Jepang
- Istimewa
Over time, the eruption was supported by relatively continuous jets of magma, causing debris and lava to coalesce to form a new landmass in the Pacific Ocean.
On November 3, the undersea volcano expelled most of its ash, marking the peak of eruptive activity.
The site is located about a kilometer off the coast of the island of Iwo Jima, which once witnessed a historic battle between American and Japanese forces in World War II.
Although the new island seems like a natural wonder, scientists note that submarine volcanic eruptions in this region tend to last about a month or so.
In recent decades, research on undersea volcanoes has increased, revealing hidden wonders at the bottom of the ocean.
Although this new island is attracting attention due to the eruption of the undersea volcano, questions about the sustainability and resilience of this island have arisen.
According to Yuji Usui, an analyst with the Japan Meteorological Agency, the island may not last long.
The sustainability of the new island depends on its material; if it is composed of lava, it is likely to last longer.
Over time, pumice that is not bound by lava will be eroded by the waves, so the size of the island will decrease. Usui emphasized that only time will tell whether the new island will merge with Iwo Jima or how far it will survive.
Therefore, this natural phenomenon provides a unique opportunity for scientists to understand the process of underwater island formation and evolution, while noting that islands like this may be temporary.
