Japanese volcanic island is 10 times bigger

Nishinoshima volcanic island has an area 10 times larger than last year by connecting to another island formed during a volcanic eruption.

>>>Japan: New islands due to volcanic eruptions are "blooming" 8 times

The island was formed by a volcanic eruption (right) at Nishino-shima island (left), in December last year.(Photo: AFP)

Nishinoshima , volcanic island of Ogasawara archipelago, currently has an area of ​​about 2.29km, 10 times larger than its size a year ago, according to Japanese coastline (JCG). The island is part of Tokyo, although about 1,000km south of the capital.

At the time of observing on December 25, JCG's aircraft recorded an eruption of 5 to 6 times per minute from the crater on the southern shore of the island, pushing lava to the north. Japan News said the island area could continue to expand, as volcanic activity has not changed much since the last observation in October.

The volcanic eruption in the sea last November caused a large amount of lava to erupt, forming a small island located 1,000km south of Tokyo. At this time, it is located about 200m from Nishinoshima Island. The island then expanded the area many times over its original size. A month later, officials of the new island management and monitoring department said it had been conjoined at two points with Nishinoshima Island.

Similar eruptions in the 70s and 80s of the last century created many small islands in Japan. However, these islands have disappeared partially or completely.