Dormant for decades, the Kaitoku volcano makes a dramatic reawakening under Japan's waters
Kaitoku Volcano is situated in the Ogasawara archipelago of Japan, approximately 621 miles south of Tokyo.
10:10 AM EST, January 22, 2024
Japan sees underwater volcanic eruption
The underwater volcano, north of Iwo Jima Island, lies about 328 feet below the water's surface. Of the three underwater volcanic peaks in the area, only the one on the east remains active.
Scientists noticed signs of Kaitoku's reawakening as early as August 2022, later confirmed by the Japanese coast guard.
Activity at Kaitoku recommenced in December 2022 and will continue into the new year. The eruption was captured on January 3rd.
Records show that the last confirmed eruption of Kaitoku took place in March 1984. The Global Volcanism Program acknowledges possible eruptions in December 1984 and June 1986. Historical documentation suggests that Kaitoku likely also erupted in 1543.
Underwater volcanoes attribute to 80% of eruptive activity
Kaitoku is merely one of Earth's numerous underwater volcanoes, highlights NASA. Some estimates suggest around 25 million of them exist on our planet, though most are inactive. However, active underwater volcanoes account for a significant portion of our planet's total volcanic activity, with estimates putting the figure at about 80 percent.
A particularly significant underwater eruption occurred a year ago on Hunga Tonga Island. The powerful eruption of the underwater volcano, also named Hunga Tonga, on January 15, 2022, was so intense that it caused damage to nearby islands and spewed significant amounts of volcanic gas and particles into the stratosphere. Satellite observations show that material from this eruption is still present in the stratosphere a year later.
The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management reported that the shock wave from the volcanic eruption on Tonga Island in the Pacific traveled all the way to Kasprowy Wierch.
Source: NASA
