The Japan Coast Guard reported that during an overflight of Nishinoshima during 1300-1345 on 2 May observers noted frequent (every 40-60 seconds) Strombolian explosions at a new pyroclastic cone in the crater. Ash plumes rose 500 m. Two lava flows originating from the N part of the cone traveled 180 m SW and 170 m W, and entered the ocean. The island continued to grow and was estimated to be 2 km E to W and about 1.9 km N to S, with an area of 2.75 square kilometers (it was 2.68 square kilometers on 15 September 2016).

Source: Japan Coast Guard

Geological Summary. The small island of Nishinoshima was enlarged when several new islands coalesced during an eruption in 1973-74. Multiple eruptions between 2013 and 2023 completely covered the previous exposed surface and continued to enlarge the island. The island is the summit of a massive submarine volcano that has prominent peaks to the S, W, and NE. The summit of the southern cone rises to within 214 m of the ocean surface 9 km SSE.