Nishino-shima Island
| Nishinoshima | |
|---|---|
Nishinoshima in July 2016
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 142 m (466 ft) |
| Coordinates | 27°14′49″N 140°52′28″E / 27.24694°N 140.87444°ECoordinates: 27°14′49″N 140°52′28″E / 27.24694°N 140.87444°E |
| Geography | |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Caldera |
| Volcanic arc | Volcano Islands |
| Last eruption | 2013 to 2015 |
Nishi-no-shima (西之島?, "western island") is a volcanic island located around 940 km (584 mi) south-southeast of Tokyo, that is part of the Volcano Islands arc. Originally the above-water part of the ridge of an underwater caldera, Nishinoshima was enlarged in 1974 after fresh eruptions created a new section of the island. Another eruption that began in November 2013 further enlarged the island and attracted worldwide attention. A volcanic cone soon formed, raising to an estimated height of 142 m (466 ft) by July 2016. The eruptions ceased by November 2015, though emissions of volcanic gases continued for several months afterwards. It has also been known as Rosario Island.
As of 2016, the island is now about 2.7 km² (667.18 acres) in size and is undergoing colonization by various plants and animal species.
The island was named "Rosario Island" when it was discovered by the Spanish ship Rosario in 1702. That was the island's name until 1904 when the Japanese term "Nishinoshima" (literally, "West Island") was made the official name.
When a new island was formed in the 1973 eruption, that was called Nishinoshima Shintō (西之島新島?, literally, "New Nishinoshima Island"), but due to erosion and shifting sands, that island joined the main island and ceased to be a separate entity.
During the early stages of the 2013 eruption, a new volcanic island was formed about southeast from the original Nishinoshima. The island was not given an official name but was mentioned in Japanese reports as "new island": atarashii shima (新しい島?) or shintō (新島?). Government officials said the island would be named "after it is stable and it is clear it will remain". As the island has now merged with Nishinoshima, "there is little possibility it will be named as a separate entity."
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Wikipedia