NASA is watching in real-time for the birth of a new island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean

NASA is watching in real-time for the birth of a new island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean

NASA is watching the birth of a new island in real time

An underwater volcanic eruption has been discovered north of Papua New Guinea, unfolding in one of the least-mapped corners of the world’s oceans.

Satellites have picked up steam plumes, ash, thermal hotspots and vast floating rafts of volcanic rock — all signs that magma is rising surprisingly close to the surface.

And scientists are watching closely to see if the eruption will create a new island, a rare sight to see live.
An ocean basin barely known
The eruption is occurring in the Bismarck Sea, on the western edge of the Pacific.