A submarine volcanic eruption occurred today at Home Reef, a shallow submarine volcano located within the Tofua volcanic arc in the Tonga archipelago. The eruption generated a volcanic ash plume that ascended to an altitude of less than 2 kilometers. This relatively low-altitude plume suggests a moderately explosive eruption, with limited atmospheric injection of ash. Concurrently, a thermal anomaly with a radiative power of 79 megawatts was detected. This thermal signature indicates the presence of magma at or near the surface, and it is likely associated with the effusion of lava flows and/or the ejection of heated volcanic material.
MODIS Thermal Anomaly (79 MW)
Home Reef is known for its episodic eruptions that construct ephemeral islands composed primarily of volcaniclastic material. These islands are often rapidly eroded by wave action, typically persisting for only a few years. The volcano’s location within the active Tonga-Kermadec subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the Australian Plate, contributes to its frequent activity.
Small ash plume seen on Sentinel 3 Satellite
NOAA IR Window Imagery ash cloud height up to 2km.
