A new volcanic island has been birthed off the coast of Iwo Jima, in Japan. The landmass is the result of a volcanic eruption that began approximately three weeks ago. While the advent of a totally new island is a significant development, according to local geologists, the hunk of volcanic rock may not be long for this world.
The tiny landmass is the result of an unnamed undersea volcano located about half a mile off the southern coast of Iwo Jima (known in Japan as Ioto), according to the Associate Press. The volcano started its latest series of eruptions on Oct. 21 and after ten days, volcanic ash and rock had risen above the sea surface. Soon after, the landmass grew into a new island about 328 feet across, according to Yuji Usui, an analyst in the Japan Meteorological Agency’s volcanic division.
Since then, the volcanic activity has ceased. Now, it remains to be seen if the crumbly foundation of volcanic rock will be reclaimed by the sea. “We just have to see the development,” said Usui. “But the island may not last very long.”
While rare, the formation of a new island due to volcanic activity is not unheard of in the area. Japan sits in the so-called Pacific “ring of fire,” and has 111 active volcanoes. In fact, 2013 saw the beginning of a decades-long volcanic eruption that created the island of Nishinoshima, 620 miles south of Tokyo.
