Baby Island was born in the Pacific Ocean due to an underwater volcano spewing lava, steam and ash. A statement released by NASA’s Earth Observatory notes that one of the submerged volcanoes in the region woke up on September 10 and threw its matter out.
Within 11 hours of the volcanic eruption, a new island began to form above the surface of the water, as seen in NASA satellite images.
NASA scientists reported that by September 14, the estimated area of the island had grown to 4,000 square meters at an altitude of 10 meters above sea level. A week later, on September 20, the island stretched over an area of 24,000 square meters.
The nascent island is northeast of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai and northwest of Moungaone, according to the Geological Survey of Tonga.
“The volcano poses little risk to the aviation community and the residents of Vavau and Ha’apai. However, all sailors are advised to sail beyond 4 kilometers from the reef until further notice,” the Geological Survey of Tonga said in a statement.
Researchers who have been monitoring the island have said the island may be growing as the house reef volcano is still erupting.