The eruption of an underwater volcano in Japan causes the appearance of a small island

An underwater volcano in the Pacific Ocean, one kilometer from the Vulcano Islands (Japan), has formed a new islet near its territory. The explosion of the underwater crater 1,000 kilometers from Tokyo has caused a large accumulation of ash and, with it, the birth of an island about 100 meters in diameter and 20 meters high. The island's emergence was documented in photographs and videos by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on November 1.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has pointed out that the island, being formed by ash and volcanic rocks instead of lava flows, does not believe it will resist erosion by sea waves when the eruption stops.

The underwater volcano began spitting rocks and ash on October 30, but already began its series of eruptions on October 21. In 10 days the volcanic ash and rocks have created a new island-shaped surface.

Fukashi Maeno, an associate earthquake researcher at the University of Tokyo, explained to the Kyodo agency that phreatomagmatic eruptions, which result from the interaction of magma with water, were occurring one kilometer from Iwo Jama.

Setsuya Nakada, professor emeritus of volcanology at the University of Tokyo, told The Japan Time that, after flying around Iwo Jima, he concluded that the magma has been erupting under the ocean for a few weeks.. This solidification of the magma below the surface has caused the small island to be born. Although the Japanese archipelago is made up of more than 14,000 islands, these volcanologist experts describe the emergence of “the youngest island in the world” as “surprising.”