The Home Reef volcano is showing a decrease in it's Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP) as detected by the MODIS-MIROVA satellite, Tonga Geological Services reported today, 24 June.

"The Home Reef Volcano monitoring continues due to ongoing volcanic activities being detected. In the past sixteen (16) hours since the last Public Notice, VOLCAT has detected a total of five (5) thermal anomalies with the most recent thermal anomaly observed at 8:06 AM this morning (Figure 1)," TGS stated.

“The latest satellite image from MODIS-MIROVA shows a decrease in the Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP) value with a non-numeric reading displayed (Figure 2) compared to the values recorded on the previous public notice.”

The volcanic activity poses a low risk to the Vava’u and Ha’apai Communities, while a hazard warning remains in force for mariners in the area.

"All Mariners are advised to sail beyond 4 km from Home Reef until further notice. The public is at this moment advised to adhere to these restrictions for safety purposes," stated TGS.

Monitoring of the volcano is ongoing daily on the status of the eruption.

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 and Longitude 18.992°S & 174.775°W .