Daily News

Science World News 30th August 2021

New Volcanic
Island in Japan
What are volcanoes?

• Volcanoes are openings in the earth’s crust. They

release ash, gas and hot molten rock known as lava.

• When this lava cools down, it returns to being solid

rock. Over time, this rock can collect into a mountain
shape which we commonly recognise as a volcano.

If you think you know how big Japan is, then

you might just have to guess again. That’s
because a new island has been formed.
Japan is an archipelago made up of around
6000 islands. Now, they can add to this number
as an underwater volcanic eruption has created
a new island.
The eruption was spotted by the Japanese
coast guard on the 16th August around 1200km
from the mainland of Japan. While flying
overhead, they noted that they could see steam
Photo: A volcanic island.
15km above the site.
When the coast guard went back to monitor Ocean they eroded away. They only each lasted
the volcanic eruption, they saw that it had left a short amount of time before they completely
ash and cooled lava. From this, a new island had disappeared.
been formed. So, what do you think, will this island be here
The volcano that erupted is called Fukutoku- to stay or will it be washed away by the waves?
Okanoba. The new island is the top part of that Only time will tell.
volcano.
The island is reported to be crescent-shaped Glossary
and is 1km across. It is the southernmost point
of the Ogasawara group of islands in Japan. crust The outer layer of the earth.
This news will not come as a surprise to the
archipelago A group of islands.
people of Japan. Japan is located in an area
known as the Ring of Fire. It is known as this molten Something turned to liquid due
because of the large number of volcanoes in to the heat.
the region. Many of these volcanoes are found
underwater. When they erupt, there is a chance eroded To wear away over a period of
a new island will form. time.
New islands were formed in 1904, 1914
and 1986 in the same way. However, because
the islands were in the middle of the Pacific

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 New Volcanic Island in Japan

Questions
1. What is the name of the area of volcanoes where Japan is located?


2. Which of the following words is a synonym for the word ‘eruption’?

lava
massive
explosion
creating

3. Why won’t the people of Japan be surprised by the new island formation?

4. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false.

True False
Volcanoes can only exist on land.
The new island will definitely last forever.
The island was spotted by the coast guard.
The island is around 1200km from the mainland of Japan.

5. Do you think the island will last? Explain your answer.

6. Summarise the key information in this article in 15 words or fewer.

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