January 25, 2025

The Ghost Island That Refuses to Stay—What’s Really Happening in the Caspian Sea? – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel

What if we told you an island just popped up out of the ocean, only to slip back into the sea without a single headline? This isn’t a trick of the mind—it’s a baffling, recurring event that has scientists scratching their heads. Want to know why this “ghost” island is so hard to track? The story behind it is stranger than you think.A peculiar “Ghost” island has reappeared in the Caspian Sea, continuing its centuries-long cycle of sudden emergence and rapid disappearance. The island, formed at the tip of the Kumani bank mud volcano, surfaced again in early 2023, only to begin vanishing by the end of 2024. This enigmatic phenomenon has captivated geophysicists, particularly due to its fleeting existence and the seemingly muted public response to its reappearance.The Kumani bank island has a documented history dating back to May 1861, when it was first observed breaking through the surface of the Caspian Sea. However, the island disappeared the following year, setting a precedent for its transient nature. Throughout the 20th century, it surfaced and vanished at least six more times, with each instance lasting less than two years.The island’s reappearances are tied to the activity of the underwater mud volcano that forms it. When the volcano erupts, it pushes large amounts of mud to the surface, creating a temporary landmass. These eruptions can be dramatic, featuring jets of fire that shoot into the sky and resemble oil rig explosions. Yet, in 2023, the island’s appearance occurred without such fiery fanfare, making it even more enigmatic.Satellite imagery from NASA captured the island’s latest emergence in early 2023, as it materialized approximately 20 kilometers off the Azerbaijani coast. By the end of 2024, much of the island had already eroded or submerged, leaving behind only fragments.Despite its reappearance being visible in satellite data, the island’s emergence went largely unnoticed. Writing on Threads in late 2024,Mark Tingay stated, “A new island suddenly appeared last year, which is amazing”. This isn’t the first time the Kumani island has appeared without widespread recognition. In 1993, a similar event occurred, with the island forming quietly and going unreported in official records despite its visibility in satellite images.The Kumani bank mud volcano is one of many in Azerbaijan’s region of the Caspian Sea, an area known for its geological activity. Mud volcanoes are unique in that they emit not just mud, but also gases like methane, which can ignite during eruptions, creating fiery displays. These volcanoes can also cause temporary land formations, such as the ghost island.When the volcano erupts, pressurized mud and gases break through the seabed, forming a mound that breaches the water’s surface. However, the island is often short-lived due to erosion from waves and the instability of the material that forms it. This delicate balance between geological creation and natural forces underscores why the island rarely lasts more than a few years.The 2023 reappearance of the ghost island offers scientists a rare opportunity to study mud volcanoes and their interactions with the surrounding environment. The transient nature of these formations poses unique challenges and opportunities for research, as they provide fleeting glimpses into the powerful geological forces at play beneath the Earth’s surface.For Tingay and others, the island’s emergence also raises questions about human observation and communication in the modern era.” In this current information age, where everyone is so instantly connected, it is also rather incredible that an island can pop up just 20 km off the coast and no one even says anything about it!”, Tingay noted. His comments underscore the gap between scientific discovery and public awareness, even in an era of ubiquitous information.As of early 2025, the ghost island is already fading, continuing its centuries-long cycle. Its disappearance is a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of Earth’s geology. While the island may vanish from sight, it will likely re-emerge in the future, offering new opportunities for study and wonder.For now, the Kumani bank island remains a symbol of the mysterious and ephemeral phenomena that nature can produce. Its brief appearances serve as a testament to the power of mud volcanoes and the geological forces shaping our world, even in remote corners of the planet.Got a reaction? Share your thoughts in the commentsEnjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free newsletter for engaging stories, exclusive content, and the latest news.Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/01/the-ghost-island-that-refuses-to-stay-whats-really-happening-in-the-caspian-sea/

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