A new island forms near Nishinoshima Volcano

Volcanic activity along the western edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” gave rise to a tiny island in November 2013, and it has been expanding since then. Located in the Ogasawara Islands, part of the Volcano Islands arc, the new islet sits about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) south of Tokyo.

Nishinoshima Clears Its Throat
Image

Nishinoshima Clears Its Throat

After a period of quiet, the Japanese volcano erupted volcanic gas and ash for two weeks in October.

Published Oct 17, 2022

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Volcanoes

No Rest for Nishinoshima
Image

No Rest for Nishinoshima

Volcanic activity that ramped up in late May 2020 has continued into August.

Published Aug 6, 2020

Atmosphere Land Water Volcanoes

Nishinoshima Belches Ash and Lava
Image

Nishinoshima Belches Ash and Lava

A young volcanic island in the western Pacific Ocean has been going through some growing pains.

Published Jul 6, 2020

Image of the Day Land Water Volcanoes Remote Sensing

Nishinoshima Puffs
Image

Nishinoshima Puffs

In January 2020, plumes emanated from the young volcanic island.

Published Jan 28, 2020

Atmosphere Land Water Volcanoes Remote Sensing

Lava Glows Atop Nishinoshima
Image

Lava Glows Atop Nishinoshima

The island has been growing steadily since 2013.

Published Apr 21, 2017

Heat Land Volcanoes Remote Sensing

Volcanic Island in the Pacific Turns Two
Image

Volcanic Island in the Pacific Turns Two

Nishinoshima has grown to twelve times its original size.

Published Nov 29, 2015

Image of the Day Land Volcanoes

Nishinoshima Continues to Grow
Image

Nishinoshima Continues to Grow

The growing volcanic island offers a blank canvas where new ecosystems will emerge.

Published Jun 24, 2015

Land Water Volcanoes

Nishinoshima continues to erupt
Image

Nishinoshima continues to erupt

Nishinoshima spews a plume of ash and gas, part of an ongoing eruption that continues to increase the size of the small island.

Published Mar 5, 2015

Heat Land Water Volcanoes

New Island Turns One, Continues Growing
Image

New Island Turns One, Continues Growing

More than a year after emerging from the Pacific Ocean, a new Japanese island continues to grow.

Published Dec 2, 2014

Land Volcanoes

Still Huffing and Puffing
Image

Still Huffing and Puffing

The ongoing volcanic eruption at Nishino-shima is building up the island in the western Pacific Ocean.

Published Aug 29, 2014

Image of the Day Land Water Volcanoes

Growth of Nishino-shima Volcanic Island
Image

Growth of Nishino-shima Volcanic Island

Ash and steam stream from a remote Japanese island.

Published Jul 16, 2014

Land Volcanoes

“New” Pacific Island Consumes Its Neighbor
Image

“New” Pacific Island Consumes Its Neighbor

In the western Pacific Ocean, a new volcanic island that formed in the shadow of Nishino-shima has merged with it. The island has doubled in size as the eruption continues.

Published Apr 4, 2014

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Volcanoes

When Two Become One
Image

When Two Become One

Volcanic activity may soon fuse a newly formed island to its neighbor Nishino-shima.

Published Dec 24, 2013

Land Volcanoes

New Island in the Ring of Fire
Image

New Island in the Ring of Fire

The EO-1 satellite captures a view of the new volcanic island that formed in November 2013 near Nishino-shima Volcano.

Published Dec 18, 2013

Image of the Day Land Water Volcanoes