Monowai

News from Monovai

Monowai volcano (Kermandec Islands, New Zealand) activity update: eruption reported 11 Aug (pumice raft) most likely from nearby Havre Seamount

Monday, Aug 13, 2012

The eruption reported on 11 August was most likely from Havre Seamount. [more]

New submarine eruptions observed in the Kermandec Islands (New Zealand)

Saturday, Aug 11, 2012

A submarine eruption has taken place a few days ago in the Kermandec Islands. The eruption was not directly observed, but a new large pumice raft has been spotted by NZ navy and others. The pumice is drifting 85 nautical miles south-west of Raoul Island on Thursday night (9 Aug). ... [more]

Monowai volcano

submarine volcano -132 m / - 433 ft
Kermandec Islands, New Zealand, -25.89°S / -177.19°W
Current status: dormant (1 out of 5)

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Last update: 25 Jan 2013 (eruption reported 11 Aug (pumice raft) most likely from nearby Havre Seamount)
Typical eruption style: explosive
Monowai volcano eruptions: 2008, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002 (Nov), 2002 (May), 1999, 1997-98, 1997 (Apr), 1996, 1995, 1990-91, 1988, 1986, 1982, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977 (Oct), 1977 (Apr), 1944(?)

Map view shows Monowai submarine volcano at the lower left, with subsidiary cones on its northern flank. A large submarine caldera lies at the upper right lies to the NE. The contour interval is 100 meters, and the resolution of the bathymetry data is 25 meters. The proprietary bathymetry data were obtained by scientists of the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) during a 2005 New Zealand/American NOAA Ocean Explorer research expedition to the Kermadec-Tonga arc. Image courtesy of Ian Wright, 2005 (NIWA; http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/05fire)

Last earthquakes nearby: No recent earthquakes

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Location

Monowai seamount (also known as Orion seamount) is one of the most active volcanoes of the Kermancec Arc. It has a large submarine caldera and is located halfway between Tonga and the Kermadec Islands. Eruptions at Monowai occur every few years.

Background:

from Smithsonian / GVP volcano information:

Monowai seamount, also known as Orion seamount, rises to within 100 m of the sea surface about halfway between the Kermadec and Tonga island groups. The volcano lies at the southern end of the Tonga Ridge and is slightly offset from the Kermadec volcanoes. Small parasitic cones occur on the north and west flanks of the basaltic submarine volcano, which rises from a depth of about 1500 m and was named for one of the New Zealand Navy bathymetric survey ships that documented its morphology. A large 8.5 x 11 km wide submarine caldera with a depth of more than 1500 m lies to the NNE. Numerous eruptions from Monowai have been detected from submarine acoustic signals since it was first recognized as a volcano in 1977. A shoal that had been reported in 1944 may have been a pumice raft or water disturbance due to degassing. Surface observations have included water discoloration, vigorous gas bubbling, and areas of upwelling water, sometimes accompanied by rumbling noises.

(Smithsonian / GVP volcano information)

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