Japan’s newest island combines with another, transforms into Snoopy

On November 20, 2013, a volcano about 970 kilometers (600 miles) south of Tokyo erupted, breaking above the surface of the Pacific Ocean and creating Japan’s newest island. It is still expanding, according to National Geographic.
 
Now that volcanic island has joined with the nearby uninhabited Nishino Shima island, resulting in a combined landmass that bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain classic cartoon pooch we all know and love.
 
Yes, in the greatest show of life imitating art, the two islands have joined forces to become everyone’s favorite fictional beagle, Snoopy.
 
Japan’s newest island is part of the Bonin Islands, which are basically 30 small islands grouped together to form what is also called the Ogasawara chain. When it first emerged, it was around 500 meters (1,640 feet) off Nishino Shima. Now that it is eight times larger, it has joined Nishino Shima. The part that connects the two is identifiable by a slender pool of reddish seawater.
 
Because the name “Nishino Shima” existed before its latest volcanic addition, the merged landmass will retain said name.
 
Online observers who saw aerial shots of the new landmass were quick to point out its likeness to Snoopy.
 
“Exactly as Nostradamus predicted. A new Snoopy-shaped island rises from the sea near Tokyo,” tweeted one @etienneeshrdlu.
 
“Holy crap… Snoopy island… I don’t care what they say I’m going over there,” quipped Twitter user @astralpouch wrote.
 
The humble beginnings of Snoopy island
 
Previously called Niijima, the volcanic island was formed when an underwater volcano exploded, releasing ash, rocks, smoke and steam from its crater.
 

Japanese scientists were initially wary of giving it a name, since newly-formed volcanic islets tend to have a high fatality rate, sinking below the ocean as soon as it appears. Eventually, however, they stated that the island was expected to survive for at least a couple of more years.
 
The volcano last erupted in 1973 and 1974, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory.
 
The new landmass is around 130 kilometers (80 miles) from the closest island with a human population. — VC, GMA News