A submerged volcano on the seamount is known as Home Country In the Central Tonga Islands, she woke up after 16 years of deep sleep to pop her head out of the blue.
On September 10, 2022, lava and rock fragments began to seep into the ocean 25 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of Late Islandwhile plumes of steam and ash explode across the surface of the waves.
The debris is slowly gathering on a whole new island, covering 4,000 square meters (one acre) and reaching 10 meters (33 feet) in height in a few days.
Although it will hardly get any higher, on September 20, officials from the Tonga Geological Services (TGS) were announce The island has swelled six times in size, expanding to 24,000 square metres.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this ephemeral, unnamed structure will likely dive into the blazing ‘Ring of Fire’ of the Pacific Ocean long before any sailor could hope to set foot on its rocky shore.
The last time Home Reef spawned a new island, in 2006, it took a year for ocean waves to erode its top. This time, the logo is much shorter.
Much of the debris resulted from the submerged Tonga volcano in a 2006 event, where an extended raft of frothy volcanic glass known as pumice was laid along the South Pacific, giving the Earth an eerie appearance.
You can see screenshots of this raft below:
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Since 1852, Home Reef has been producing carrots on five occasionssome access Between 50 and 70 meters in height. In 1984, the island until carrying a small lake.
The seamount responsible for these short-lived structures is located in an area of the Pacific Ocean known as Karmadec Tonga Subduction Zonewhich includes some of the world’s fastest converging tectonic plates.
Here, the Pacific plate is rapidly sliding under two other plates (Kermadec and Tonga) at a rate of about 24 cm per year (9 in), forming the world’s second deepest trench and a very active volcanic arc.
In fact, this long stretch of seafloor ridge, stretching from Tonga to New Zealand, is home to the highest density of underwater volcanoes found anywhere on Earth.
Satellite images of the recent eruption of Home Reef capture the formation of its newest island in stunning detail. The image below was released by NASA using USGS data on Sept. 14.
Not only does it show a long trail of smoke, it shows an intense change in the color of the surrounding ocean.
A follow-up image captured on Sept. 18 using USGS data and shared by TGS on Facebook zooms in on the volcanic fall, as can be seen below.
The water mist is likely caused by very hot acidic seawater, mixed with bits of volcanic rock and debris, according to Recent press release from NASA.
“The volcano poses low risks to the aviation community and residents of Vava’u and Hapai,” TGS announce On September 20.
“However, all seafarers are advised to sail more than 4 kilometers from Home Reef until further notice.”
Since September 25, there has been No more views of volcanic ash or steam from this slice of the Pacific Ocean. Home Reef is likely to be finished right now, which makes us appreciate her latest gift of the sea while we can.