Japan's new volcanic island continues to grow

Images captured by NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite show that the volcanic island off the western coast of Japan is growing, contrary to suggestions that it would disintegrate back into the ocean.

The island, officially named Niijima, breached the waters of the Pacific Ocean on November 20 and is located about 620 miles south of Tokyo. The satellite captured an image of the island as it passed over the still-steaming island on Dec. 8. The photo also showed churned-up marine sediment and volcanic materials that have discolored the waters around the new island.

Scientists last month said chances were high that the island would sink back into the sea. But it has since risen up 82 feet above sea level and now spans 13.8 acres.

[NASA Earth Observatory]