Evolution of the Nishino-shima's eruption.

The eruption of November 20, 2013 , off the island of Nishino-shima , Ogasawara Archipelago / Izu- Bonin volcanic arc , and its evolution over the next 15 days, allow us to return to this type of eruption defined in the Icelandic eruption that formed the island of Surtsey in 1963.

An eruption of surtseyan type is characterized by three phases: an underwater phase, an hydromagmatic phase and an aerian phase.

Phase 1 - underwater : the lava comes out of an underwater crack at the bottom of the ocean to produce a tuya, a volcano in table form , made of pillow lavas and hyaloclastites. The pressure of the water column prevents all activity of explosive type, and the submarine volcano grows until it reaches a level close to the surface .
At this stage discolored water can realize the submarine eruption .

Cypressoïde plume and water vapor off Nishino-shima 11/20/2013 - Phase two of the eruption - photo Getty images

Phase 2 - hydromagmatic :
Air Force Japan has detected around 10 a.m. 20 November 2013 an ash plume near Nishino -shima Island. The coast guards have confirmed the eruption to 16 h, and the formation of a 200 meter wide circular island.

When the pressure of the water column is small enough to not be able to counteract the pressure generated by the lava fragments, the eruption happening in his hydromagmatic phase.
Under the effect of heat shock generated by the encounter between water at a few degrees Celsius and the lava heated to over 1000°C, it breaks under the influence of explosions and the water vaporizes. From the surface of the water then rises a volcanic plume composed mainly of water vapor but also of gas and volcanic ash, which can amount to thousands of meters. Sheaves of fragmented lava may also pierce the surface of the water, while giving rise to so-called " cypressoïdes " plumes. Reverse accumulation of pyroclastites, the volcano grows to emerge gradually and then completely, to the extent that the volcanic pipe opens above the water level .

Nishino -shima , the 11/21/2013 - formation of a tuff / slag cone - projections of bombs and  gas and steam plume - photo Japan Daily Press

 
Nishino -shima , the 11/21/2013 - primitive island and the nearest eruption, with the area of ​​discoloration - Photo Japan Coast Guards

Phase 3 - Aerian :
The change in eruptive style,  from the explosive interaction between magma and water to the strombolian activity, occurred between 22 and 23 November .

Strombolian explosions project, along with a plume of ash , bombs and large lava fragments around the newly formed cone, which fall into the sea, degassing and steaming water that surrounds them , creating the bubbling. On 24 November, a lava flow is seen on the southeast flank of the new cone. Several vents are visible, assets in turn, on the video below ( 24/11/2013 )
  Nishino-shima - On 11.24.2013 , Strombolian explosive activity , accompanied by a plume of ash and lava - photo Japan Coast Guards

                    Nishino -shima on 11/24/2013 - another view - photo Japan Coast Guards

This magmatic activity will allow the formation of welded slag and lava flows, and its duration will determine the survival of the island facing the new marine erosion, and his sustainability thereof after the cessation of eruption .

In early December, the eruptive activity continues ...his height progresses only slowly - it still exceeds 50 meters - due to moderate strombolian activity , but it grows towards the southeast, several cast having created a platform .

  

Nishino -shima , the 01.12.2013 - on the right of the new island , traces of lava - background , plumes of steam illustrate the interaction between lava and seawater - an active lava flow glowing in the center - photo Japan Coast Guards

               Diagram of the evolution of the new island versus aerial photos - doc.JCG

 

On a section of the island and the seabed, we can see :
- Its evolution before the eruption of 1973 and currently
- In dark gray, the underwater and air intake of the eruption of 1973, which expanded the island
- In red, the position of the eccentric eruption and the new cone.

                                                        doc. Asahi Shimbun

Sources :

- Global Volcanism Program - Nishino-shima

- Japan Coast Guards - Kaiho. mlit - link