Nishinoshima is a volcanic island in the northwestern Pacific Ocean that has grown due to volcanic activity. Satellite data is used to study volcanic activity and provide early warnings to the aviation industry. A satellite image taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission shows the Japanese island of Nishinoshima in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

Nishinoshima, one of the Ogasawara Islands, is a small, uninhabited volcanic island about 1,000 km south of Tokyo. Volcanic activity at the western end of the Pacific Ring of Fire gave rise to this island, which is actually the top of a submerged volcano.

Until 1974, only part of the submerged caldera ridge was visible, and the island was about 700 m long and 200 m wide. Since then, Nishinoshima has alternated between periods of explosive activity and stagnation, but over the years it has been caused by lava from various eruptions. the island grows.

This image was taken in January 2021 and here the island is approximately 2.3 km north-south and 2 km east-west.

The yellow color of the water around the island is due to volcanic minerals, gas, and seabed sediments that have been degraded by volcanic activities. It stretches for about 10 km to the southeast, where ocean currents turn it into bright green eddies.

A cloud of gas and vapor can be seen rising from the volcano and drifting northeast over the Pacific Ocean. As the smoke rises, the vapor condenses and forms clouds.

Volcanic fumes are of particular concern to the aviation industry because the ash can contaminate oxygen supplies and damage jet engines. Atmospheric sensors on satellites can identify gases and aerosols released by explosions, measure their wider environmental impact, and help provide early warning to the aviation industry.

Satellite data can also be used to better understand volcanic activity. Optical and radar devices can monitor lava flows, mudflows, cracks in the ground, and earthquakes and use them to assess damage.