New Japanese Island Forming in Pacific Ocean: Photos
A volcanic eruption has broken the sea surface in the Pacific Ocean and may form a small new island for Japan. See before and after pictures here.
A new cinder cone breaks the sea surface off the coast of the uninhabited Nishinoshima island on Nov. 20, 2013.
An aerial photograph on Nov. 21, 2013 shows the eruption of the new cinder cone continues off the coast of Nishinoshima island.
Discoloration of the water surrounding the newly erupting cinder cone on Nov. 21, 2013.
Japan's new cinder cone eruption occured some 620 miles south of Tokyo.
The erupting cinder cone may build a small new island in the Pacific. The Japan Coast Guard is monitoring the eruption as it continues and has asked vessels to stay clear of the area.
Nishinoshima island and its new neighbor are part of Japan's Ogasawara island chain or Bonin Islands.
One of the first images of the new erupting cinder cone in Japan's southern territorial waters. Note the hot lava bursts mixed with the steam, ash and smoke in the erupting plume.
Nishinoshima island, Japan, in 2005.
This graphic from 2003, shows Nishinoshima island's adjacent cinder cone as it rises above the average seafloor depth prior to breaking the sea surface.
A bathymetry map of Nishinoshima island showing its elevation from the depths of the seafloor to just above sea surface.
A Sep. 14, 1973, photograph shows the beginning of the eruption that eventually led to the enlargement of Nishinoshima island in 1974.
Nishinoshima island is seen here on Dec. 21, 1973, with a plume of ash billowing from its second crater.
In May 1973, the first signs of of undersea volcanic activity around Nishinoshima island discolor the water off its southern tip.