An undersea volcanic explosion in Japan has resulted in the formation of a new island called Nijima. The newly formed island later merged with its neighbour, Nishinoshima, which is located 621 miles south of Tokyo. The island had emerged from the Pacific Ocean in November 2013 after a volcanic explosion and now spans nearly 0.95 square miles. Scientists will be able to learn more about the colonization process of new land by plant and animal life in pristine conditions.
This speck of land is larger than its neighbor, the older Nishinoshima, which is a part of Ogasawara island chain in Japan popular for its variety of ecosystem and wealth. The old Nishinoshima comprised a number of bird colonies, but volcanic eruptions scared the creatures away.
Currently, the new found island is a barren expanse of rock which has been formed from cooling lava. It is thought to have the optimum conditions to be able to transform into developed ecosystems consisting of plants and even animals, if possible, making it a natural laboratory in future.
After the volcanic activity comes to an end, the ocean currents and birds’ feet will bring in plants into the island. Food, rotting corpses and bird feathers will form a soil rich in nutrients providing a fertile ground for seeds which will supposedly be carried either by wind or birds.
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