How Nature Reclaimed a Remote Island After a 2013 Volcanic Eruption: The Remarkable Return of Life

Twelve years ago, a volcanic eruption nearly wiped out all life on Nishinoshima, a small island in the Pacific. Since then, scientists have been fascinated by how plant life has managed to recover on this once-barren land.

Nishinoshima is located about 620 miles south of Tokyo. It has experienced several eruptions since the 1970s, but the most dramatic started in late 2013. Lava erupted from the ocean floor, creating a new island that eventually swallowed the old one. This process buried much of the land under lava and ash, eliminating almost all forms of life.

Despite this, some plants began to flourish again without any human help. In 2019, researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University collected samples of common purslane, a hardy plant, just before another eruption struck. They wanted to uncover its secrets for survival.

By analyzing the plant’s DNA, scientists discovered that it shares a close relationship with a population from Chichijima, another nearby volcanic island. However, the plants on Nishinoshima showed reduced genetic diversity. This is likely due to the “founder effect,” where small numbers of individuals start a new population, limiting genetic variety.

One mystery remains: how did these plant seeds reach Nishinoshima? The seeds are tiny, similar in size to a poppy seed, which makes them perfect for travel. They can float on ocean currents, be carried by the wind, or even be eaten by birds and then deposited elsewhere.

Even with the plants making a comeback, the future of Nishinoshima is uncertain. Eruptions continue to reshape the island, creating a dynamic and unpredictable environment.

Researchers continue to study this resilient plant life as it grows in a challenging setting. Their findings have been published in the journal Plant Systematics and Evolution. The resilience of nature serves as a reminder of life’s ability to adapt, even in the harshest conditions.

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