Niijima Island, a volcanic mass that formed off of the coast of Japan just months ago, has been growing and recently merged with its sister island, Nishinoshima.
Niijima Island, a volcanic mass that formed off of the coast of Japan just months ago, has been growing and recently merged with its sister island, Nishinoshima.
When tiny Niijima sprouted up last November, it was about 550 yards from it’s larger, older sibling.
At that time, experts believed it would likely disappear quickly.
It didn’t, and soon it had grown enough to have its expected lifespan extended to several years.
Since then, it’s continued to erupt and spread, and recent observations show that it has not only joined Nishinoshima, but has begun to overtake it.
As a result, it’s now said it could be around for a quite a while. How long remains uncertain, as it is still active and until it calms down, long-term survival is tough to call.
Some see a possible future for the new island in the history of its older relative.
One volcanologist pointed out that Nishinoshima has only been around for 40 years, but is now home to several species of plants, ants, and butterflies.
“If Niijima sticks around” she said, “I’d expect it to be colonised within 30-40 years as well.”
