It appeared and disappeared: NASA satellite spotted a mysterious "ghost island"

After a mud volcano erupted in early 2023, an island appeared in the Caspian Sea. It was recorded by a NASA satellite off the coast of Azerbaijan.

However, by the end of 2024, the island had almost disappeared. According to NASA's Earth Observatory, it disappeared from view "like a ghost."

Powerful eruptions of the Kumani Bank mud volcano have created similar temporary islands several times since its first recorded eruption in 1861. Also known as Chigil Deniz, the site is located about 25 kilometers off the east coast of Azerbaijan.

Satellite images show the island appearing and disappearing. In November 2022 (left), the volcano's crest remained below the sea surface. By February 14, 2023 (middle), the island appeared, and the plume of sedimentary rocks drifted away from it. According to University of Adelaide geologist Mark Tingey, additional satellite observations indicate that the island appeared between January 30 and February 4 and was approximately 400 meters in diameter. By the end of 2024 (right), a much smaller part of Kumani Bank was visible above the water.

The previous eight recorded eruptions of the volcano occurred in flashes that lasted less than two days and created islands of varying sizes and durability, MailOnline writes.

The geologist described mud volcanoes as fascinating objects that remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. He explained that most mud volcanoes, ranging in size from a few meters to several kilometers in diameter, are located in areas with active tectonics or high rates of sedimentation (particle deposition).

"Geologists have counted more than 300 such volcanoes in eastern Azerbaijan and on the Caspian Sea coast, with most of them occurring on land," NASA commented.

Mud volcanic eruptions can be dangerous because they can eject large amounts of material and even flames in a short period of time. Azerbaijan's mud volcanoes are linked to the vast hydrocarbon system of the South Caspian Basin and are known to release combustible gases such as methane along with characteristic mud slurries. It is not known whether the 2023 eruption of Kumani-Benku was fiery, but past eruptions of this and other nearby mud volcanoes have sent towers of flame hundreds of meters into the air.

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