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Mysterious 400-METER 'ghost island' spotted by NASA satellite — before disappearing completely

Published 17/01/2025 às 17:28
island, NASA
Photo: Reproduction

A mysterious 400-meter island was captured by a NASA satellite before disappearing without a trace. An intriguing phenomenon that defies science.

The idea of ​​a ghost island may sound like something out of an adventure movie, but in the Caspian Sea, it has become a reality. An enigmatic landmass has appeared and disappeared in a matter of months, capturing the attention of scientists and curious onlookers around the world. NASA recorded the phenomenon, documenting every detail of this fleeting appearance.

The island emerged after the eruption of a mud volcano known as Kumani Bank, off the coast of Azerbaijan, in early 2023.

However, by the end of 2024, it had almost completely disappeared. Landsat 8 and 9 satellites captured images in several stages, showing the island growing, shrinking and finally disappearing as if it had never existed.

NASA's Landsat 8 and 9 satellites captured images of the island on Nov. 18, 2022 (left), Feb. 14, 2023 (center) and Dec. 25, 2024 (right)

The history of the volcano

According to NASA's Earth Observatory, the Kumani Bank volcano is famous for its transient manifestations.

Since the first recorded eruption in 1861, it has created ephemeral islands on several occasions.These islands are formed by powerful eruptions of mud and sediment, but are quickly eroded by natural forces, leaving little or no trace.“, explained the agency.

In the most recent case, the island was first visible in February 2023, measuring about 400 meters across, according to University of Adelaide geologist Mark Tingay. He describes mud volcanoes as “fascinating and little understood phenomena".

However, Tingay points out that these natural structures can be quite dangerous, with the potential to throw large amounts of sediment and even flames to impressive heights.

The eight previous recorded eruptions at Kumani Bank varied in intensity and outcome. In 1861, for example, an eruption formed a small island just 87 meters in diameter, which disappeared within the year Following.

As early as 1950, the largest recorded eruption produced an island 700 meters wide, which was also eroded in a short time.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, with over 300 mud volcanoes recorded in its eastern region and on the Caspian Sea coast, is considered a unique area for such geological events.

This high concentration is associated with the convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which creates ideal conditions for eruptions.

Although the island’s recent appearance was brief, it has rekindled interest in understanding these little-studied volcanoes. Experts like Tingay warn of the dangers these formations can pose.

"Mud eruptions can be intense and unpredictable, sending flames and material hundreds of feet into the air in a matter of seconds.“, explained the geologist.

The disappearance of Kumani Island is further proof of the dynamic power of nature, reminding us that there is still much to learn about the forces that shape the planet.

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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