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New island emerges after volcanic eruption in Pacific Ocean
A new island has appeared above surface in the southwest Pacific Ocean near Tonga after an underwater volcano known as Home Reef erupted plumes of volcanic rock fragments, steam and ash.
The new island appeared surfaced eleven hours after the eruption and continues to grow in size.
On September 14, researchers with Tonga Geological Services estimated the area of the island to be 4,000 square metres (1 acre) and elevated to 10 metres (33 feet) above sea level.
By September 20 the island had grown to 24,000 square metres (6 acres).
The new island is located southwest of Late Island, northeast of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai, and northwest of Mo‘unga‘one, all part of the kingdom of Tonga which is situated in the continent of Oceania and already contains more than 100 islands.
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Home Reef has had four recorded periods of eruptions, including in 1852 and 1857 when small islands temporarily formed.
An eruption in 2006 produced islands with cliffs that were 50 to 70 metres high.
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