The new island emerged following an undersea volcanic eruption near Iwo Jima
In the Pacific Ocean, near Iwo Jima in Japan, a completely new island emerged following an undersea volcanic eruption that began on October 21. It took just 10 days for the island to appear as volcanic ash and rocks piled up on the ocean floor. The top part of the new island came above the water, making it about 100 meters wide and 20 meters high.
The Japan Meteorological Agency, monitoring the area for volcanic activity since the previous year, confirmed the eruption on October 30 through the University of Tokyo.
Why the Island Formed – The island came about because of explosive eruptions caused by magma meeting water, about one kilometer away from Iwoto.
Will the Island Last – Scientists are studying the island’s makeup to see how durable it is. If it’s made of lava or something tough, it might stick around longer. But experts aren’t sure how long it will last.
Looking Back – Iwo Jima, about 1,200 kilometers south of Japan, saw big battles during World War II between the US and Japanese troops, resulting in many casualties.
Ring of Fire – Japan is in the “Ring of Fire,” an area with lots of volcanoes and earthquakes. There are 111 active volcanoes in Japan out of about 1,500 worldwide.
The appearance of a new island due to a volcanic eruption is something that happens now and then. Scientists are watching to see what happens to this new island near Iwo Jima.