A recent eruption at the Home Reef Volcano has produced a significant crater along with large rocks ejected, observed in satellite images taken of the remote island in February. An ash plume is rising near the vent.
In a public notice issued at 8:30pm today, 21 February, Tonga Geological Services Volcano Watch Team warned mariners to stay at least 2 nautical miles away from Home Reef until further notice. Meanwhile, “the volcanic activity poses low risk to the Vava'u and Ha'apai communities,” they stated
Monitoring of the volcanic activity at Home Reef is ongoing, where it has observed increased thermal activity since the last report. The latest signs of this activity were detected on 20 February (Figure 1).
“Images taken on February 8 show a significant crater on Home Reef (Figure 2), along with large rocks that likely resulted from the recent eruption (Figure 3). The crater has an estimated diameter of 78 meters and covers an area of approximately 4,350 square meters. The depth of the crater is estimated to be around 50 meters. Large rock fragments have been located between 65 and 75 meters from the center of the crater, with the largest measuring 14 by 15 square meters, which seemed to have been ejected or displaced during a recent crater-forming event.
“The plume of smoke rising from the volcano is mostly made up of ash near the vent, transitioning to gas and steam as it rises higher into the atmosphere (Figure 2).
“We have also observed a noticeable turbidity in the waters surrounding the island, likely due to volcanic activity. Similar signs were recorded in images taken on 20 February.
“The volcanic activity poses low risk to the Vava’u and Ha’apai communities. However, all mariners are advised to remain at least 2 nautical miles away from Home Reef until further notice.”
Home Reef is located 25 km southwest of Late Island, 22 km northeast of Lateiki (Metis Shoal) and 75 km northwest of Mo’unga’one Island at Latitude & Longitude 18.992°S and 174.775°W (Figure 6).
“Continuation of monitoring is ongoing to monitor the situation closely in the coming weeks to ensure public safety. Regular assessments are vital as we track the volcanic activity and evaluate any potential risks in this unpredictable environment,” stated the Volcano Watch Team.
from Satellite Sentinel-2 captures significant volcanic activity, with gas and turbidity plumes visible from the sea (left). The active vent is highlighted in red (right).
Figure 5. Hazard Map/ No Go Zones of Home Reef Volcano (Based on Australia Volcano Investigations Report maps in 2008, by Dr. Paul Taylor).
