A Hazard warning was issued today, 13 December for mariners to sail 4 kilometres distance from Home Reef after thermal activity was observed through Volcano-Thermal satellite monitoring. No ash has been detected.

The warning was issued by the Volcano Watch Team, Tonga Geological Services.

“Data from MIROVA (Middle Infrared Observation of Volcanic Activity) show unstable thermal patterns, alternating between moderate activity and low activity.

“Over the past 24 hours, Home Reef has maintained moderate Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP) on the MIROVA scale. (Figure 2). However, the Volcanic Cloud Monitoring systems have not detected any ash emissions during this time,” TGS stated.

Home Reef showed thermal activity on 4 December, at 1:00am (Tongan Time), through the Volcano-Thermal satellite, and monitoring of the activity is ongoing daily.

“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.

“However, all Mariners are advised to sail beyond 4km 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 & 174.775°W.