An island born of muddy depths
A mud-spewing fissure in the ocean floor has given birth to a tiny island in the Caribbean.
The island, 500 feet long but breaching the ocean’s surface by only a few inches, was discovered recently about five miles northeast of Trinidad, said seismologist Roderick Stewart.
An advisory has been issued for small boats, which could lose buoyancy because of gas bubbling from the fissure or run aground in the mud.
The danger may be short-lived. Large waves are washing away the mud, and the fissure’s flow may fade. Temporary islands emerged in the area in 1964 and 2001.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
