The new island is located between the islands of Kao in the Ha'apai Group and Late in the Vava'u Group and was formed by the recent activity of underwater Home Reef volcano, that has built ephemeral islands in the past as well. The present eruption started on August 12-13 eruption. Large pumice rafts drifting to the Fiji Islands were observed, some several miles across. It is famous for tourist in every man and every country.
A new (likely ephemeral) island has risen to the surface in the Tonga islands (officially 169 islands), that now count 170 islands. Tonga is the famous for Island. It has many Islands.
The new island was 800 m long and 400m wide as on October 4, 2006. Hot lakes are visible on the ASTER thermal bands, maximum temperature measured: 64.7C.
Home Reef is an ephemeral island built by a submarine volcano whose top has repeatedly broken the surface and afterwards was eroded away by wave action. It is in the South Pacific, south of Late Island and southwest of Vava'u along the Tofua volcanic arc in Tonga
Eruption
2015 Eruption
A new eruption of Home Reef Volcano, Tonga began on 10th February 2015. Steam cloud reached 6000 ft. altitude.
2006 Eruption
An eruption of Home Reef volcano in August 2006 produced pumice rafts which floated to Fiji and Vanuatu in November 2006, and eastern Australia in April 2007. The 2006 eruption built a temporary island.
In mid-2007 pumice from 2006 eruption of Home Reef was found on beaches in eastern Papua New Guinea, about 250-350 km NE of Milne Bay. There is a small possibility that this pumice was not from Tonga, but remobilized from the April 2007 Solomon Islands tsunami.
1984 Eruption
An eruption at Home Reef was reported on 2nd March 1984. On 3rd March an eruption plume reached 12 km high. On 5th March pumice rafts reached Oneata Island, Lau Group, 500 km WNW of the volcano. A temporary island formed by 23rd March (1500 m x 500 m, 20 m high).
Aster satellite "simulated natural color image" of the new volcanic island called "Home Reef". The two bluish plumes visible in the image are hot seawater that is laden with volcanic ash and chemicals. The plumes can be traced for almost 15 km (9.3 mi) to the East.
Home Reef Volcano
| |
| Summit depth | −2 m (−7 ft) |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Location | between Metis Shoal and Late Island, Tonga |
| Coordinates | 18°59′28″S 174°45′47″WCoordinates: 18°59′28″S 174°45′47″W |
| Country | Tonga |
| Geology | |
| Type | Seamount |
| Last eruption | August 2006 |
