A strange ‘ghost island’ emerged in the Caspian Sea, formed by a mud volcano, only to vanish shortly after its appearance
Baku: You won’t believe this! Scientists were buzzing about a “ghost island” that popped up in the Caspian Sea and then vanished just as fast.
This mysterious land appeared after the Kumani Bank mud volcano erupted, which is about 15 miles off Azerbaijan’s coast. It’s wild how nature works!
The island showed up on satellite images, thanks to NASA, and it was around 1,300 feet wide. It first broke the surface on February 14, 2023, leaving a cool sediment trail behind.
But like a fleeting dream, it didn’t stick around. By the end of 2024, it had mostly eroded away, disappearing like a ghost. Scientists noted it was like watching an apparition fade.
This isn’t the first time the Kumani Bank has created temporary islands. The first recorded eruption was back in 1861, and it made a tiny island that was gone by the next year.
Azerbaijan is home to over 300 mud volcanoes, both on land and in the sea. These quirky features are tied to a massive hydrocarbon system that releases flammable gases and muddy sludge.
Geologist Mark Tingay mentioned that mud volcanoes are fascinating yet not well understood. They’re definitely one of nature’s weird wonders!
