The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea
Collection Earth & Climate 2026.09.07

The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea

A List Examining Newly Formed Volcanic Islands Documented by Eruptions and Erosion

When an underwater volcano erupts, a black land may appear above the surface one day. However, not all new islands last long. They can be quickly eroded by waves or connected to existing islands, and sometimes general access is prohibited for ecological research. This list gathers six scientifically documented cases of birth and change, including Surtsey, Nishinoshima, and Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai.

The coordinates on this list represent not tourist destinations but rather key locations of the volcanic islands. Some islands may not currently exist or may be off-limits, so do not use this as a guide to rent a boat. Satellite observations, nautical charts, as well as aviation and navigation alerts may be more up-to-date than field photographs, and all maritime and nature conservation regulations must be strictly followed.

Surtsey

Surtsey is an actual location examined in 'The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea.' It was born from the sea in 1963 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site with restricted access for studying natural settlement processes. The core formation process of Surtsey involved the accumulation of volcanic ash and lava from underwater eruptions, forming the island above the surface, which continues to experience wave erosion. By connecting Surtsey's appearance with the surrounding terrain rather than just its color or shape in photographs, you can gain a more concrete understanding of the time left behind by the volcano and lava.

Surtsey's location is summarized as Surtsey in the southern waters of Iceland. The coordinates of Surtsey refer to a representative observation point in a broad area and may differ from parking lots, ticket offices, and hiking trail entrances. Before visiting Surtsey, check the condition: ‘Landing is prohibited for those not authorized for research, so only distance observation and official research materials should be used.’ Not only weather but also gas, wildfires, falling rocks, waves, and conservation measures can affect access to Surtsey.

At Surtsey, do not attempt to collect rocks or take close photographs by crossing control lines. Comparing Surtsey with the other five locations in this list in terms of rock type, cooling method, erosion, and vegetation recovery will highlight the differences. Information from connected management organizations and on-site announcements takes precedence over this explanation. Treating Surtsey as a trace of a natural disaster and a managed living and ecological space can ensure both safety and geological learning.
위치 아이슬란드 남쪽 해상 Surtsey 형성 특징 해저 분화의 화산재와 용암이 쌓여 수면 위 섬이 되었고 파도 침식을 계속 받고 있다. 방문 전 확인 연구 허가자 외 상륙이 금지되므로 원거리 관찰과 공식 연구 자료만 이용한다.
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Nishinoshima

Nishinoshima is an actual location examined in 'The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea.' It is an uninhabited volcanic island where a new volcanic body has merged with an existing island due to repeated eruptions, altering the coastline. The core formation process of Nishinoshima involved the accumulation of lava and volcanic debris from underwater volcanoes, continuously changing the island's area. By connecting Nishinoshima's appearance with the surrounding terrain rather than just its color or shape in photographs, you can gain a more concrete understanding of the time left behind by the volcano and lava.

Nishinoshima's location is summarized as Nishinoshima in the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. The coordinates of Nishinoshima refer to a representative observation point in a broad area and may differ from parking lots, ticket offices, and hiking trail entrances. Before visiting Nishinoshima, check the condition: ‘Confirm access restrictions and maritime security agency navigation alerts, and do not undertake unauthorized landings or close navigation.’ Nishinoshima's access scope can change due to not just weather but also gas, wildfires, falling rocks, waves, and conservation measures.

At Nishinoshima, do not attempt to collect rocks or take close photographs by crossing control lines. Comparing Nishinoshima with the other five locations in terms of rock type, cooling method, erosion, and vegetation recovery will highlight the differences. Information from connected management organizations and on-site announcements takes precedence over this explanation. Treating Nishinoshima as a trace of a natural disaster and a managed living and ecological space can ensure both safety and geological learning.
위치 일본 오가사와라 제도 니시노시마 형성 특징 해저 화산의 용암과 화산쇄설물이 수면 위에 축적되며 섬의 면적을 계속 바꿨다. 방문 전 확인 접근 제한과 해상보안청 항행 경보를 확인하고 임의 상륙·근접 항해를 하지 않는다.
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Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai is an actual location examined in 'The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea.' It is a volcanic terrain that underwent significant changes as the new land connecting two islands mostly disappeared following a major eruption in 2022. The core formation process of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai involved sediment from eruptions in 2014-2015 connecting the islands, but the caldera explosion and erosion in 2022 reshaped the terrain. By connecting Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai's appearance with the surrounding terrain rather than just its color or shape in photographs, you can gain a more concrete understanding of the time left behind by the volcano and lava.

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai's location is summarized as Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai in the northern waters of Tonga. The coordinates of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai refer to a representative observation point in a broad area and may differ from parking lots, ticket offices, and hiking trail entrances. Before visiting Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, check the condition: ‘Do not confuse the current shape with past maps, and follow the maritime and volcanic alerts from Tongan authorities.’ The access scope to Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai can change due not only to weather but also gas, wildfires, falling rocks, waves, and conservation measures.

At Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, do not attempt to collect rocks or take close photographs by crossing control lines. Comparing Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai with the other five locations in terms of rock type, cooling method, erosion, and vegetation recovery will highlight the differences. Information from connected management organizations and on-site announcements takes precedence over this explanation. Treating Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai as a trace of a natural disaster and a managed living and ecological space can ensure both safety and geological learning.
위치 통가 북쪽 해상 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai 형성 특징 2014~2015년 분화 퇴적물이 섬을 연결했으나 2022년 칼데라 폭발과 침식이 지형을 재편했다. 방문 전 확인 현재 형상을 과거 지도와 혼동하지 말고 통가 당국의 해상·화산 경보를 따른다.
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Anak Krakatau

Anak Krakatoa

Anak Krakatoa is an actual location examined in 'The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea.' It is a volcanic island that has grown within the Krakatoa caldera since 1883, undergoing cycles of collapse and regrowth. The core formation process of Anak Krakatoa involved the accumulation of underwater volcanic material, which emerged above the surface in the 20th century and caused a tsunami due to a collapse of the land mass in 2018. By connecting Anak Krakatoa's appearance with the surrounding terrain rather than just its color or shape in photographs, you can gain a more concrete understanding of the time left behind by the volcano and lava.

Anak Krakatoa's location is summarized as Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia. The coordinates of Anak Krakatoa refer to a representative observation point in a broad area and may differ from parking lots, ticket offices, and hiking trail entrances. Before visiting Anak Krakatoa, check the condition: ‘Do not assume landing tourism, verify the activity radius control and warnings from Indonesian volcanic authorities.’ Access to Anak Krakatoa can change not only due to weather but also gas, wildfires, falling rocks, waves, and conservation measures.

At Anak Krakatoa, do not attempt to collect rocks or take close photographs by crossing control lines. Comparing Anak Krakatoa with the other five locations in terms of rock type, cooling method, erosion, and vegetation recovery will highlight the differences. Information from connected management organizations and on-site announcements takes precedence over this explanation. Treating Anak Krakatoa as a trace of a natural disaster and a managed living and ecological space can ensure both safety and geological learning.
위치 인도네시아 순다해협 Anak Krakatau 형성 특징 해저 분출물이 쌓여 20세기에 수면 위로 나타났고 2018년 산체 붕괴로 쓰나미를 일으켰다. 방문 전 확인 활동 반경 통제와 인도네시아 화산당국 경보를 확인하며 상륙 관광을 가정하지 않는다.
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Home Reef Volcano

Home Reef

Home Reef is an actual location examined in 'The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea.' It is an underwater volcano observed by satellite, where islands have appeared and diminished due to eruptions. The core formation process of Home Reef involves the accumulation of pumice, volcanic ash, and lava, forming temporary islands on the shallow summits, which are then eroded back down. By connecting Home Reef's appearance with the surrounding terrain rather than just its color or shape in photographs, you can gain a more concrete understanding of the time left behind by the volcano and lava.

Home Reef's location is summarized as Home Reef in the central waters of Tonga. The coordinates of Home Reef refer to a representative observation point in a broad area and may differ from parking lots, ticket offices, and hiking trail entrances. Before visiting Home Reef, check the condition: ‘Avoid access without Tongan navigation information due to pumice rafts and shallow reef risks.’ Access to Home Reef can change not only due to weather but also gas, wildfires, falling rocks, waves, and conservation measures.

At Home Reef, do not attempt to collect rocks or take close photographs by crossing control lines. Comparing Home Reef with the other five locations in terms of rock type, cooling method, erosion, and vegetation recovery will highlight the differences. Information from connected management organizations and on-site announcements takes precedence over this explanation. Treating Home Reef as a trace of a natural disaster and a managed living and ecological space can ensure both safety and geological learning.
위치 통가 중부 해상 Home Reef 형성 특징 부석과 화산재·용암이 얕은 정상부에 쌓여 일시적 섬을 만들고 침식이 다시 낮춘다. 방문 전 확인 부석 뗏목과 얕은 암초 위험이 있어 통가 항행 정보 없이 접근하지 않는다.
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Ferdinandea Seamount

Fernandina Seamount

Fernandina Seamount is an actual location examined in 'The Moment When Land Not on the Map Was Born from the Sea.' It became a short-lived island above the surface in 1831 before eroding and disappearing back beneath the sea. The core formation process of Fernandina Seamount involved loose volcanic ash from underwater eruptions creating the island, but due to rapid erosion by waves, it currently remains submerged as a seamount. By connecting Fernandina Seamount's appearance with the surrounding terrain rather than just its color or shape in photographs, you can gain a more concrete understanding of the time left behind by the volcano and lava.

Fernandina Seamount's location is summarized as Graham Bank in the southwestern waters of Sicily, Italy. The coordinates of Fernandina Seamount refer to a representative observation point in a broad area and may differ from parking lots, ticket offices, and hiking trail entrances. Before visiting Fernandina Seamount, check the condition: ‘Do not use coordinates as a tourist landing site due to underwater reefs and vessel safety issues.’ Access to Fernandina Seamount can change not only due to weather but also gas, wildfires, falling rocks, waves, and conservation measures.

At Fernandina Seamount, do not attempt to collect rocks or take close photographs by crossing control lines. Comparing Fernandina Seamount with the other five locations in terms of rock type, cooling method, erosion, and vegetation recovery will highlight the differences. Information from connected management organizations and on-site announcements takes precedence over this explanation. Treating Fernandina Seamount as a trace of a natural disaster and a managed living and ecological space can ensure both safety and geological learning.
위치 이탈리아 시칠리아 남서쪽 해상 Graham Bank 형성 특징 해저 분화의 느슨한 화산재가 섬을 만들었지만 파도에 빠르게 깎여 현재는 해산으로 남았다. 방문 전 확인 수중 암초와 선박 안전 문제 때문에 좌표를 관광 상륙지로 사용하지 않는다.
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New volcanic islands show that sustaining them is a more challenging process than their birth. Thanks to strict protections, Surtsey has become a laboratory for observing biological settlement, while Nishinoshima has seen changes in area and coastline due to repeated eruptions. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai recorded both creation and disappearance after most of its connecting geography was lost in the 2022 explosion.

When observing new land, do not memorize the exact area or coastline as fixed numbers, and instead, check the observation date. Volcanic ash clouds, pumice, and shallow reefs can pose risks to ships and aircraft from a distance. For inaccessible islands, the proper way to observe them is through satellite images and materials from research institutions. Measures that limit human foot traffic themselves help preserve ecological succession and geological records.
Locations at a glance 6 places

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