Press photos distributed by the Japanese Coast Guard, showing the site of a probable undersea eruption of Futuku-okanoba submarine volcano on 3 July 2005. Note the discoloration of the sea-water, as well as floating peices of steaming lava blocks on the surface.

A submarine volcano erupted in Japan. It is located about 6 kilometers north-northeast of Minami-Iwojima island in Ogasawaramura (about 1,300 kilometers from Tokyo).
On the evening of 2 July, the Japanese coast guard spotted large amounts of steam rising to about 1 km height above the sea at the site of the submarine volcano, as well as a strong discoloration of the water. On photos taken on 3 July, porous, steaming lava blocks are appearing on the surface of the sea. Ships are advised to avoid the area.

The volcano, known under the mane of Futuku-okanoba, has frequently had similar eruptions recorded during the past century, some of which have created temporary islands, last during  an eruption in January 1986 that created a crescent-shaped island, which sank in March 1986. The last eruption at Futuku-Okanoba took place in 1992. Discoloration of the water above the volcano is observed frequently, probably die to intense hydrothermal activity.

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