Home Reef Volcano

Updated: Nov 11, 2025 16:45 GMT - refresh

submarine volcano

Tonga Islands, -18.99°S / -174.78°W

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Summit height: -10 m / -33 ft

Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)

Last update: 10 Sep 2025 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

Home Reef is a submarine volcano midway between Metis Shoal and Late Island in the central Tonga islands. It was first seen and reported to be active in the mid-19th century, when an ephemeral island formed.
An eruption in 1984 produced a 12-km-high eruption plume, copious amounts of floating pumice, and an ephemeral island 500 x 1500 m wide, with cliffs 30-50 m high that enclosed a water-filled crater. Another island-forming eruption in 2006 produced widespread dacitic pumice rafts that reached as far as Australia.

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Home Reef webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: explosive, island-forming
Home Reef volcano eruptions: 2006 (Aug), 1984 (Mar), 1857 (?), 1852

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Home Reef volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Home Reef has had at least 7 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1857 from Home Reef volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Home Reef volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Home Reef can be found on the news page of Home Reef volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
2024 Dec 4 -	Historical obs./docs.	?
2024 Jun 10 - Jul 4	Historical obs./docs.	?
2023 Oct 12 - Oct 19	Historical obs./docs.	1
2022 Sep 10 - Oct 17	Historical obs./docs.	2
2006 Aug 7 - Aug 16 ?	Historical obs./docs.	2?
1984 Mar 1 - Mar 5	Historical obs./docs.	3?
?? 1857	Uncertain Eruption	2
1852	Historical obs./docs.	2

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Home Reef Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Home Reef volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Home Reef occurred in 2024.

+How often does Home Reef volcano erupt?

Since 1852, Home Reef volcano has had at least 7 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 24.7 years.

+How active is Home Reef volcano at present?

Home Reef volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 5 eruptions, and been active during 5 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Home Reef has been in eruption one in 25.2 years on average. The last eruption was in 2024 and ended 11 months ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Home Reef volcano?

The largest eruption of Home Reef volcano in historic times occurred in 1984. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Home Reef Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).