A new island has emerged in the southwest Pacific Ocean
Recently, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory, a new island has formed in the South Pacific Ocean.
The island was formed after lava erupted from an underwater volcanic eruption near Tonga (Home Reef) and came up to the surface of the sea.
Home Reef is part of the Tonga-Kermadec Subduction Zone. Here three tectonic plates collide with each other and form an active zone for underwater volcanoes.
The size of the new plot has increased rapidly from one acre to more than eight acres. Prior to this, there were volcanic eruptions under the seas in the years 1852, 1857, 1984 and 2006. Each outburst led to the creation of a new island.
Islands formed by underwater volcanic activity
- Process of Formation: Most of the volcanic islands are formed by passive lava flows emanating from volcanic eruptions on the seafloor.
- This cool lava flow hardens to become rock and over millions of years it rises like a mountain, accumulating under water.
- Eventually some volcanoes reach heights above sea level, where the low pressure causes explosive eruptions.
- Ocean volcanoes, which do not reach the sea level, are called seamounts.
- According to NASA, islands created by underwater volcanic activity can exist for years. However, their existence generally does not last long.
- Volcanic island ecosystems: Since they grow in isolated conditions, many of the organisms there are considered endemic species.
Pacific Ocean-
- The Pacific Ocean separates the Americas and Asia. It is the largest and deepest ocean in the world.
- Comparative geographical study shows that in this ocean the land area is less and the water area is more.
- The Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean is located approximately 200 km east of the Western Mariana Islands, and is the world’s deepest natural trench.
- There are three major groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
Source – The Hindu