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Fonualei Volcano

Updated: Mar 29, 2024 10:21 GMT -
Stratovolcano 180 m / 591 ft
Tonga, Tonga Islands, -18.02°S / -174.33°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 12 Dec 2021 (submarine eruption from a yet unlisted volcano nearby in early Aug 2019)

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Typical eruption style: unspecified
Fonualei volcano eruptions: 1957 

Latest nearby earthquakes

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Background

The small, less than 2-km-wide island of Fonualei contains a fumarolically active crater, which is breached to the SW with a fresh lava flow extending to the sea and forming a rugged shoreline. Steep, inward-facing scarps mark the rim of a partially exposed caldera which contains a pyroclastic cone that is breached to the east and forms the 180-m-high summit of the island. Blocky lava flows from this cone fill much of the northern caldera moat and reach the sea through notches in the northern and eastern caldera rims. In contrast to the andesitic and basaltic rocks of other islands of the Tonga arc, Fonualei lavas are of dominantly dacitic composition. Eruptions have been recorded since 1791, with the largest taking place in June 1846, when explosive eruptions produced large pumice rafts, and ashfall damaged crops on the island of Vavua (56 km away) and fell on vessels up to 950 km distant. In 1939 explosive and effusive activity occurred from summit and flank vents, and water spouts were reported 1.6 km SE of the island.
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Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Latest satellite images

fonualei satellite image sat1fonualei satellite image sat2
Sun, 18 Aug 2019, 19:29

Tonga Islands: new submarine volcanic eruption discovered near Fonualei Island

Sample of pumice encountered while sailing near Vava'u island in Tonga (image: Sail Surf ROAM / facebook)
A new eruption, likely submarine, has occurred (or is still in progress) during the past days west of Vava'u Island in the Tonga archipelago. Its origin volcano is still a bit unclear, but the eruption, evidenced by fresh pumice rafts and steam plumes is most likely from a submarine volcano near or a vent of the small Fonualei volcano. ... Read all
Wed, 3 Oct 2001, 06:00

Fonualei volcano (Tonga Islands) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 3 October-9 October 2001 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Laboratoire de Géophysique reported that explosive volcanic activity may have occurred at Fonualei volcano during late September. On 27, 28, and 30 September numerous short T waves were received by the French Polynesian Seismic Network. The preliminary location of the seismicity was determined to be near the Tonga archipelago at 18.18°S (well constrained) and 174°W (not as well constrained). ... Read all

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