Underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga [1]
Friday, February 3, 2017 - 15:24. Updated on Friday, February 3, 2017 - 20:48.
A new photo has emerged from NASA Earth clearly showing the site of the underwater volcano eruption known as 'Submarine Volcano III' near Tongatapu. NASA Earth states the plume is emerging from a seamount located 33 km (20 miles) from Tongatapu.
The eruption is also close to the relatively new island, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai [2] situated above the active area which formed after a volcanic eruption in December 2014.
News of the active underwater volcano appeared via GNS volcanologist Brad Scott in New Zealand when he wrote in his blog post that geographers at the University of Auckland discovered a volcanic plume on the images below going back to 23 January, revealing activity was already underway.
“After contacting our colleagues in Tonga it appears a steam plume may also be present, but the local cloud makes this difficult to ascertain,” he said.
Mr Scott also alerted that submarine volcano eruptions could be a hazard to shipping.
Historically, submarine volcanic activity has been active in the area since 1911, the most recent in 2007. The area is part of the Tonga-Kermadec volcanic arc and the Pacific Ring of Fire where underwater eruptions are common.
Small islands are sometimes produced which last for a few days or months.
Signs of submarine volcanic activity in the area include discoloured water, steam plumes and earthquakes.