10-11-2023 (TOKYO) A previously unnamed undersea volcano located approximately 1km off the southern coast of Iwo Jima, known as Ioto in Japan, recently erupted, giving rise to the formation of a new island. The volcanic activity began on October 21, and within a span of 10 days, volcanic ash and rocks accumulated on the shallow seabed, eventually breaking through the sea surface. By early November, a new island measuring about 100m in diameter and rising up to 20m above the sea had formed, according to Yuji Usui, an analyst in the Japan Meteorological Agency’s volcanic division.
While volcanic activity near Iwo Jima has increased in recent years, the creation of a new island is a significant development, as confirmed by Usui. However, the volcanic activity has since subsided, and the newly formed island has experienced some shrinkage. Its “crumbly” composition makes it susceptible to erosion from ocean waves.
Experts are currently analyzing the formation, including examining the deposits. The island’s longevity will depend on its composition. If it is primarily made of lava or more durable materials than volcanic rocks, such as pumice, it may endure for a longer period. However, Usui cautioned that the new island might not last very long.
The birth of new islands through undersea volcanoes and seismic activities has occurred in the past. In 2013, an eruption at Nishinoshima, located in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo, resulted in the formation of a new island, which continued to grow during a decade-long volcanic eruption. Additionally, in 2013, a small island emerged from the seabed following a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Pakistan. In 2015, a month-long eruption of a submarine volcano off the coast of Tonga led to the creation of another new island.
Japan, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is home to approximately 111 of the world’s 1,500 active volcanoes, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Iwo Jima, located about 1,220km south-southeast of Tokyo, holds historical significance as the site of intense battles during World War II.
