Nishino-shima has grown more than 11 times in size since eruption started, Japan

An underwater volcanic eruption in the Ogasawara Islands archipelago gave rise to a new Pacific Ocean island in late November 2013.

The new island, named Niijima, was about 500 meters from Nishino-shima at the time, another volcanic island that last erupted and expaned in 1973/74.

Image credit: Japan Coast Guard (December 1, 2013)

The two islands soon merged into one and have grown more than 11 times in size by today.

Image credit: Japan Coast Guard (January 12, 2014)

The following video was captured on January 22, 2015.

On Monday, February 23, 2015 Japan Coast Guard patrol aircraft pilot said a crater was spewing volcanic rocks 5 or 6 times per minute, sending smoke about 1 200 meters high, while infrared footage taken by their vessel showed molten lava flowing from the crater.

Image credit: Japan Coast Guard (February 23, 2015)

Coast Guard officials said the size of the island is now 2.45 square kilometers. It measures 1 950 meters east to west and 1 800 meters north to south.

Video credit: NHK

The officials said they hope to survey seabed formations using remote-controlled submersibles and called on ships to navigate areas near the island with caution, NHK reported.

Featured image credit: Japan Coast Guard