Environmentalists discover new islands in the Caspian Sea amid falling water levels caused by climate change

Ecologists have identified several islands that have emerged in the shallow areas of the Caspian Sea amid the accelerated decline in water levels, a phenomenon associated with climate change and human activity. The most recent one was observed near Kulaly Island during an aerial inspection.

Environmental activist Daniyar Akimzhanov, who took part in the expedition, says he documented several newly emerged land areas over the past four to five years. Some are up to one kilometer long and between 200 and 300 meters wide. Wildlife has already begun to occupy them: researchers observed wild boars, while wolves reached some of the islands by crossing frozen areas.

The Kazakh Caspian Sea Research Institute warns that not all of these formations will become permanent islands. Their development depends on the seabed topography, waves, wind, and subsequent fluctuations in water levels.

In the Kazakh sector, the level of the Caspian Sea fell from -26.82 meters in 1996 to -29.27 meters in 2025, a decrease of 2.45 meters. In July 2026, the monitoring station at Kulaly recorded a low of -29.42 meters. The sea has also experienced periods of rising and falling levels in the past, but specialists say that current pressures on the water balance are being intensified by climate change and human intervention.

Approximately 80% of the Caspian Sea's flow comes from the Volga River.