New Island Appears in the Caspian Sea

A new island has appeared in the northern Caspian Sea near Kazakhstan’s Kulaly Island. Scientists have described it as a worrying sign that the sea level continues to decline.

The new area of land was discovered during recent aerial photography. As water levels fall, parts of the seabed become exposed, creating new islands and areas of dry land. According to environmentalist Daniyar Akimzhanov, such a phenomenon has been observed near Kulaly Island for the first time. Several new islands have appeared in the area over the past four to five years.

Some of them are about a quarter of a kilometre long and 200–300 metres wide. Vegetation has already begun to grow in some places. However, experts emphasize that not all of the new islands will remain. Their future will depend on waves, wind, the seabed terrain and changes in the level of the Caspian Sea. Some areas may expand and connect with the mainland, while others could once again become submerged.

The decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level is particularly noticeable in its shallow northern and northeastern sections, including along the coast of Kazakhstan. According to the Caspian Sea Research Institute, the water level in this area fell by 2.45 metres between 1996 and 2025.

In July 2026, the average water level recorded at the monitoring station on Kulaly Island was 29.42 metres below sea level. This was the lowest figure recorded during the observation period.

According to recent satellite studies, between 2016 and 2025 Kazakhstan’s coastline retreated by more than 20 kilometres in some areas of the northeastern Caspian Sea. Scientists link the declining water level of the Caspian Sea to climate change and human activity.

The falling water level is affecting not only the geographical appearance of the sea but also its ecosystem.

Researchers warn that a 5–10 metre decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level could seriously disrupt important ecosystems and threaten civilian and industrial infrastructure worth billions of dollars.

Scientists do not expect the Caspian Sea to disappear completely like the Aral Sea because its central and southern parts are deep. However, they do not rule out the possibility that falling water levels in the shallow northern section could turn large areas into dry land.