Home

News
US Home
Sport
UK Showbiz
US Showbiz
Australia Home
Femail
Health
Sci & Tech
Video
Money
Travel
Login | Join now
Desktop Site
Science
Like the look of this island? Get there fast as it will only exist for a few mon
ths! Stunning images reveal new volcanic land mass
By Ellie Zolfagharifard For Dailymail.com 23:19 11 Mar 2015, updated 00:03 12 Ma
r 2015
+12
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Click to open
Pinterest
Google Plus
Reddit
Stumble Upon
Digg it
LinkedIn
Email
Click to close
103 shares
128 comments
Island started forming in January after a volcano close to Tonga exploded un
derwater and then expanded
Images taken by three men who climbed to the peak of the island 40 miles (65
km) north of capital Nuku'alofa
They said the surface of island was still warm and it contained of a vast gr
een lake which smelled of sulphur
New island is 1.1 miles (1.8 km) by 0.9 miles (1.5km), and that it rises abo
ut 328ft (100 metres) above the sea
Beautiful images have emerged of a new island that has formed off the coast of T
onga - although scientists say it could soon disappear.
The photographs were taken by three men who climbed to the peak of the land mass
40 miles (65 km) northwest of the capital, Nuku'alofa.
The island started forming in January after a volcano exploded underwater and th
en expanded creating a mile long, cone-shaped formation.

Scroll down for video

Stunning images have emerged of a new island that has formed off the coast of To
nga - although scientists say it could soon disappear
+12
Stunning images have emerged of a new island that has formed off the coast of To
nga - although scientists say it could soon disappear
HUNGA TONGA-HUNGA HA'APAI
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai sits beneath the ocean 39 miles (62km) northwest of To
nga's capital Nuku'alofa.
The volcano gets its name from the two islands it is situated between - Hunga To
nga and Hunga Ha'apai.
It is said to be part of the volcanic Pacific Ring of Fire and is believed to on
e of a 36 undersea volcanoes in that region.
A short-lived eruption in March 2009, lasted for almost a week.
At the time, geologists said the eruption originated from two volcanic vents - o
ne was located on Hunga Ha'apai, while the other was around 330ft (100m) offshor
e.
The two vents spewed so much debris, however, they created a new land mass.
Source: Atlas Obscura
Hotel owner GP Orbassano, along with a friend and his son, arrived at one of the
island's three black beaches on Saturday.
'It was a perfect day, with fantastic views
bright blue sky and the sea was the
same colour as the sky,' GP Orbassano, one of the locals, told Tonga's Matangi O
nline.
The island is made mainly of scoria, which is a dark coloured volcanic rock that
can sometimes contain crystals.
The holes in the material form when gases that were dissolved in the magma come
out of solution as it erupts
Scientists believe the dimensions of the new island are about 1.1 miles (1.8 km)
by 0.9 miles (1.5km), and that it rises about 328ft (100 metres) above the sea.
Orbassano admitted that the climb was dangerous as a result of the excessive hea
t on the dark landscape, according to Matangi Online.
However, he said the natural beauty of the location could make it into a popular
tourist attraction before the island disappears in a few months.
The island was first spotted in an image taken by the Pleiades satellite on 19 J
anuary 2015.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano, that created the formation, is
located between two land masses in the Tonga archipelago - Hunga Tonga and Hung
a Ha'apai.
They said the surface of the island was still warm and, after climbing to the hi
ghest point of its crater, they caught sight of a vast green lake which smelled
of sulphur.

'The island is double the size of Fafa. There is a lot of rock, it's not just as
h. It looks like the moon,' said Orbassano.
More...
Saturn's moon shows sign of life: Enceladus's underground oceans contain hyd
rothermal activity
The year humans caused irreversible damage to Earth: Scientists pinpoint 161
0 as the start of the Anthropocene era
Long live the beavers! Family of wild animals can stay on their Devon riverb
ank after blood tests confirm they are disease-free
Can you find Earth's hidden alphabet? Project wants people to hunt for lette
rs on our planet using satellite images
The region is dubbed Ring of Fire because of the high levels of seismic activity
in the area.
Hunga Tonga's latest eruption began on 19 December 2014 and continued into this
month.
Steam, ash and nitrogen and phosphorus erupted from the ocean, and international
flights around the island were cancelled.
At its peak, the ash plume reached heights of more than 14,765ft (4,500 metres).
The photographs were taken by three men who climbed to the peak of the land mass
40 miles (65 km) northwest of the capital, Nuku'alofa
+12
The photographs were taken by three men who climbed to the peak of the land mass
40 miles (65 km) northwest of the capital, Nuku'alofa
The adventurers said the surface of the island was still warm and, after climbin
g to the highest point of its crater, they caught sight of a vast green lake whi
ch smelt of sulphur
+12
The adventurers said the surface of the island was still warm and, after climbin
g to the highest point of its crater, they caught sight of a vast green lake whi
ch smelt of sulphur
The island is made mainly of scoria, which is a dark coloured volcanic rock that
can sometimes contain crystals. The holes in the material form when gases that
were dissolved in the magma come out of solution as it erupts
+12
The island is made mainly of scoria, which is a dark coloured volcanic rock that
can sometimes contain crystals. The holes in the material form when gases that
were dissolved in the magma come out of solution as it erupts
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano, that created the formation, is
located between two land masses in the Tonga archipelago - Hunga Tonga and Hung
a Ha'apai.
+12
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano, that created the formation, is
located between two land masses in the Tonga archipelago - Hunga Tonga and Hung
a Ha'apai.
In addition to creating the new island, the eruption is also said to have stripp
ed its two neighbouring islands of vegetation, and caused what is known as a red
tide.
A red tide, or algal bloom, occurs when there is a sudden increase in the amount
of algae in water.
When levels of nitrogen and phosphorus rise, which can be caused by underwater e
ruptions such as the one off the coast of Tonga, algae can multiply.

Typically, this causes water to turn green, but the effect also causes reds and
yellows to be released. In particular, a bloom of dinoflagellate algae causes wa
ter to turn blood red in colour.
Land masses forming after volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are relatively comm
on.
In 2013, a volcanic island appeared off the coast of Japan, near the uninhabited
island of Nishino Shima.
Dubbed Niijima, it was first spotted on 20 November in the Ogasawara chain aroun
d 600 miles south of Tokyo and had tripled in size by the following month.
Scientists believe the dimensions of the new island are about 1.1 miles (1.8 km)
by 0.9 miles (1.5km), and that it rises about 328ft (100 metres) above the sea
+12
Scientists believe the dimensions of the new island are about 1.1 miles (1.8 km)
by 0.9 miles (1.5km), and that it rises about 328ft (100 metres) above the sea
Orbassano admitted that the climb was dangerous as a result of the excessive hea
t on the dark landscape, according to Matangi Online
+12
Orbassano admitted that the climb was dangerous as a result of the excessive hea
t on the dark landscape, according to Matangi Online
The island started forming in January after a volcano exploded underwater and th
en expanded creating a cone-shaped formation
+12
The island started forming in January after a volcano exploded underwater and th
en expanded creating a cone-shaped formation

Initially, scientists were unsure how long it would last because volcanic islets
of that type tend to be reclaimed by the sea after a short time.
However, the island expanded to 56,000 square metres (13.8 acres) - around three
times its size - as a result of continuing eruptions from the volcano below.
Similarly, in September that year, a new island appeared off the coast of Pakist
an.
It was forced to the surface following an earthquake and was made up a mound of
mud and rock 70ft (20 metres) high and 295ft (89 metres) wide on the coastline n
ear the port of Gwadar.
Underwater volcano in Tonga spews ash into the air
The natural beauty of the location could make it into a popular tourist attracti
on before the island disappears in a few months
+12
The natural beauty of the location could make it into a popular tourist attracti
on before the island disappears in a few months
Gianpiero Orbassano and Branko Sugar of Nuku'alofa are pictured top of the crate
r rim of the newly formed island, at Hunga, Tonga
+12
Gianpiero Orbassano and Branko Sugar of Nuku'alofa are pictured top of the crate
r rim of the newly formed island, at Hunga, Tonga

Facebook
Twitter

WhatsApp
Click to open
Pinterest
Google Plus
Reddit
Stumble Upon
Digg it
LinkedIn
Email
Click to close
103 shares
128 comments
Jump to...
Next Stories1/30
Most read news1/16
Don't Miss
Kim Kar-FLASH-ian! Star leaves nothing to the imagination as she appears bra
less in sheer top for dinner with husband Kanye Made a big impression
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Startraks Photo/REX (4515934p)\n Kelly Brook\n Ke
lly Brook out and about, Los Angeles, America - 11 Mar 2015\n Kelly Brook shops
on Melrose\n Her work is DONE! Kelly Brook looks slender in tight jeans worn wit
h a crop top and killer heels following weight-loss plan
Linsay Lohan-sha.jpg 'Seriously ...with that Photoshop?' Lindsay Lohan is bl
asted on Instagram for posting altered image of her thighs Has photoshop form
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 11: (L-R) Morgane Polanski, Lea Seydoux, Renee Zellweg
e and Odeya Rush attends the Miu Miu show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Wome
nswear Fall/Winter 2015/2016 on March 11, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Domin
ique Charriau/Getty Images for Miu Miu) Renee Zellweger opts for a fresh-faced l
ook as she attends first public event months after controversy over her unrecogn
isable appearance
Picture Shows: Michelle Keegan March 03, 2015\n \n ** No Web / Online Use Av
ailable till 9pm 11/03/15 GMT **\n \n \n British Actress Michelle Keegan picture
d looking trim and toned leaving the gym in London, England. \n \n The twenty-se
ven year-old soap star has been a regular at the gym as she prepares for her wed
ding in May to fianc Mark Wright. Michelle flaunted her fit physique in a black s
inglet, cropped black leggings and had her brown hair pulled back into a casual
ponytail.\n \n ** No Web / Online Use Available till 9pm 11/03/15 GMT **\n \n Ex
clusive All Rounder\n WORLDWIDE RIGHTS\n Pictures by : FameFlynet UK 2015\n Tel
: +44 (0)20 3551 5049\n Email : info@fameflynet.uk.com Make-up free Michelle Kee
gan shows off the results of her intense workout regime as she leaves gym in tig
ht vest and leggings In great shape
EXCLUSIVE TO INF.\nMarch 10, 2015: Supermodel Chrissy Teigen and singer husb
and John Legend are seen indulging in some PDA during a photo shoot with photogr
apher Bruce Weber in Miami, FL. After the couple was done posing together, Chris
sy was seen dropping her robe and going completely nude into the ocean and froli
cking in the waves before the photo shoot wrapped. Pictured here: Chrissy Teigen
, John Legend.\nMandatory Credit: INFphoto.com Ref: infusmi-11/13 Chrissy Teigen
goes fully naked as she smoulders in sexy beach shoot... and besotted husband J
ohn Legend seems VERY impressed with the results
***NOT INCLUDED IN ONLINE/DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION. FEES APPLY*** Mandatory Cred
it: Photo by Andrew Fosker/Seconds Left/REX (4515422b) David Beckham and childre
n Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League - 2nd Leg - Stamford Bri
dge - London - 11/03/2015 Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fosker / Seconds Left / Rex C
helsea v Paris St Germain (PSG), UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Football, Sta
mford Bridge, London, Britain - 11 Mar 2015 Bonding with the boys! David Beckham
takes his three sons to watch Chelsea take on Paris Saint-Germain Night out wit
h Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz

Troubled love life of passionate Mr Poldark: He's the hunk of the moment and
his real-life romances have been almost as tumultuous as his brooding TV charac
ter's
Kate Moss's ready salted hair, Alexa Chung's 'gringe' and Cheryl's choppy bo
b: The hair trends you NEED to know about SPONSORED
kendall kris jenner Feeling tired? Kendall Jenner shuns the spotlight while
Kris embraces it as they arrive at LAX after busy Paris Fashion Week Worn out
Khloe Kardashian.jpg Off to booty camp? Khloe Kardashian dispays her shapely
derriere in gym gear ...as she heads to yet another workout in LA Keeping lean
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: Andrew Fintoff and wife Rachael attend the Glamou
r Women of the Year Awards 2013 at Berkeley Square Gardens on June 4, 2013 in Lo
ndon, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images) 'I think she was quite reliev
ed': Freddie Flintoff speaks about wife Rachael's reaction to his decision to se
ek therapy for battle with depression
rihanna slippers.jpg Lost in the shuffle! Rihanna makes a comfy landing in f
ur-lined slippers at JFK Airport after whirlwind trip to Paris Helps to slow dow
n
lindsay lohan Lindsay Lohan is given strict new rules to follow as she compl
etes remaining 125 hours of community service Received new rules from judge on W
ednesday
Less is not Moore! Julianne steps out in THREE different outfits ...as she f
ilms new project Maggie's Plan in New York City Walking wardrobe
eURN: AD*162677677 Headline: Macaulay Culkin smokes a cigarette as he takes
an afternoon stroll around Soho Caption: 133989, Macaulay Culkin smokes a cigare
tte as he takes an afternoon stroll around Soho. New York - Wednesday March 11,
2015. Photograph: PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office: +1 310.822.0419 sales@pa
cificcoastnews.com FEE MUST BE AGREED PRIOR TO USAGE Photographer: PacificCoastN
ews Loaded on 12/03/2015 at 00:20 Copyright: Provider: PacificCoastNews Properti
es: RGB JPEG Image (25313K 2213K 11.4:1) 2400w x 3600h at 300 x 300 dpi Routing:
DM News : GeneralFeed (Miscellaneous) DM Showbiz : DM News/Showbiz (Miscellaneo
us) DM Online : Online Previews (Miscellaneous), CMS Out (Miscellaneous) Parking
: Lost In New York? Macaulay Culkin smokes alone (again) as he wanders around in
paint splattered jeans Tuned out the world with his large earphones
denise richards eloise How sweet! Denise Richards takes daughter Eloise for
ice cream before picking up some cupcakes to go They 'eat ice cream all the time
'
katie price When Camilla met Katie: Bizarre moment Duchess of Cornwall rubbe
d shoulders with model during Ladies' Day at Cheltenham
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (C) watches a r
ace from the temporary Royal Box with her son Tom Parker Bowles and daughter Lau
ra Lopes on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival on March 11, 2015 in Chelt
enham, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy - WPA Pool/Getty Images) SEBASTIAN SHAKESPE
ARE: Now Camilla won't see her grandkids eithe. Tom Parker Bowles, is moving to
Australia for three months
milla jovovich Dog tired! Milla Jovovich's pups get a lift from husband Paul
W.S. Anderson as the pregnant star goes for another six-mile hike She's not slo
wing down
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Madonna poses as she appears o
n The Howard Stern Show on Howard Stern's exclusive SiriusXM Channel Howard 100
at SiriusXM Studios on March 11, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Ge
tty Images for SiriusXM) 'I was feeling very gangsta': Madonna reveals she dated
Tupac Shakur before his tragic death Rapper died in 1996
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Buzz Foto/REX (4515942h) Gisele Bundchen Gisele B
undchen out and about, New York, America - 11 Mar 2015 There she blows! Gisele B
undchen has a hair raising moment as she gets caught up in a gust of wind in New
York Lost control
Justin bieber His good luck charm! Justin Bieber joins boxer Floyd Mayweathe
r during press conference for upcoming superfight with Manny Pacquiao
Adaline-Bowman-1972.jpg Forever young! Blake Lively shows off youthful compl
exion in posters depicting her as ageless Adaline Bowman, 29, in movie Age of Ad

aline
11th March 2015\n\nDivergent Series: Insurgent - world film premiere held at
Odeon Leicester Square, 24-26 Leicester Square, London.\n\nHere: Sam Faiers\n\n
\nCredit: Justin Goff/goffphotos.com\n\n\n Sam Faiers has a fashion moment in co
ral dress embellished with gold sequins as she attends Insurgent premiere Dazzl
ed in coral
****Ruckas Videograbs**** (01322) 861777\n*IMPORTANT* Please credit ITV for
this picture.\n11/03/15\nThe Only Way is Essex\nOffice (UK) : 01322 861777\nMobi
le (UK) : 07742 164 106\n**IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ** The video grabs supplied by
Ruckas Pictures always remain the copyright of the programme makers, we provide
a service to purely capture and supply the images to the client, securing the c
opyright of the images will always remain the responsibility of the publisher at
all times.\nStandard terms, conditions & minimum fees apply to our videograbs u
nless varied by agreement prior to publication. 'I'm really misunderstood': TOWI
E's Chloe Sims is inconsolable over fight with brother Charlie... before her ex
Elliott Wright puts a smile back on her face
Karucche.jpg Who needs Chris Brown? Karrueche Tran can't stop smiling as she
enjoys a mimosa over lunch with friends following split Several ups and downs
Mandy Moore-and-.jpg A solemn Mandy Moore steps out with her BFF Minka Kelly
... less than two months after split from husband Ryan Adams Counting on her fri
ends
***MANDATORY BYLINE TO READ INFPhoto.com ONLY*** Johnny Depp leaving Brisban
e Airport on a private jet in Brisbane, Australia. Johnny showing his hand wrapp
ed, is flying back to the U.S. for surgery after injuring his hand while on loca
tion in Australia, where he is filming 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell
No Tales'. Johnny is reported that he did not injure his hand on set. Pictured:
Johnny Depp Ref: SPL972745 110315 Picture by: INFphoto.com Johnny Depp injured h
and go-karting while staying at luxury estate owned by motorcycle champ Mick Doo
han Flown back from filming Pirates sequel
AD162676772Kim-confronts-Br.jpg 'Mom cries about it at night': Kim Kardashia
n confronts Bruce Jenner about his relationship with Kris' BFF Ronda in new KUWT
K clip Bruce confronted
Comments (128) Share what you think
By posting your comment you agree to the house rules
Newest
Oldest
Best rated
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated
By posting your comment you agree to the house rules

2014 Associated Newspapers Ltd

Contact us Mobile apps
View desktop site Advertise with us
Terms Privacy & cookies
AxmTYklsjo190QW
AxmTYklsjo190QW