New island emerges in the Caspian Sea as water levels decline

A new island has emerged in the northern Caspian Sea near Kulaly Island following decades of declining water levels. Euronews reported that volunteer and environmental activist Daniyar Akimzhanov spotted the landmass during an aerial survey. [1]

The northern and north eastern parts along the coast of Kazakhstan form the shallowest sector of the Caspian Sea. Euronews reported that water depths in this region typically range between three and six metres. Scientists warned that climate change and human water use could cause parts of the northern region to face an Aral Sea like scenario. [1]

The Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water on Earth. It has a surface area of 371,000 square kilometres and is bounded by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. In 2018, the littoral states formalised its special legal status through the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. [1][2][3]

The Caspian basin is economically vital for its large hydrocarbon reserves. However, the region faces ongoing environmental challenges from energy extraction, overfishing, and declining water levels that threaten local biodiversity. [1][3]