New Island Forming? – National Geographic Kids Blogs

National Geographic Society

An underwater volcano 745 miles south of Tokyo, Japan, erupted earlier this month. The volcano, Fukutoku-Okanoba, last erupted in July 2005. Past Fukutoku-Okanoba eruptions have caused miniature islands to form, but the ocean’s waves have washed them away. The eruption of underwater volcanoes can also form very large islands, like those that make up the Hawaiian Islands.

Will this eruption create a new island? “We have seen no evidence of an island being created yet, but it is possible, and we will continue to monitor the situation,” said Keiji Doi of the Japan Meteorological Agency.

See pictures of the eruption on National Geographic News.

Visit a gallery of erupting volcano pictures on National Geographic Kids.

How much do you know about volcanoes? Quiz Your Noodle and find out!

Comments

emshemie3
February 14, 2010, 4:48 pm

I hope if a new island forms it will be put to good use!
elrock1
February 16, 2010, 1:24 pm

Do you think it will become apart of Japan? Or will it become a new country? Any name suggestions?
photographyrocks247
February 27, 2010, 11:41 am

That’s really interesting… I wonder what it would be named… Would it be a part of Japan or would it become it’s own island?
RID3R1905
March 18, 2010, 8:14 pm

if it is big enough it might become a country if not japan or a nother country will take over… who knows it could be a u.s. teritory

You must be logged in to post a comment.