New islet emerges in Japan after volcano eruption

Eruptions from an undersea volcano have apparently created an islet in the Ogasawara island chain more than 1,000 kilometres south of Tokyo, Japan in the Pacific Ocean.

The Maritime Self-Defence Force’s air base on Iwoto Island, previously known as Iwojima Island, confirmed that new land had emerged about one kilometre off the southern coast of the island, according to Asahi.

Personnel stationed on the island heard a loud noise, saw earth and sand sent high into the air, and confirmed the existence of the new isle, the Maritime Self-Defence Force said.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, volcanic tremors have been detected on Iwoto island, followed by eruptions off the southern coast.

The islet was formed near the crater of the undersea volcano.

Iwoto Island itself has been rising due to the volcanic activity.