Home Reef

 

Home Reef is a shallow submarine volcano located within the Tonga-Kermadec arc, known for its highly dynamic and ephemeral nature. Emergent islands have periodically formed due to Home Reef’s surtseyan eruptions, only to be rapidly eroded by wave action. The volcano exhibits primarily explosive activity, characterized by the ejection of volcaniclastic material and the formation of ash plumes. Recent eruptions in 2006, 2022, and ongoing activity highlight the potential for future island formations at Home Reef.

Location:	Haʻapai, Tonga
Coordinates:	-19.178885, -174.849635
Volcano Type:	Stratovolcano

 

Home Reef’s Location

 

Home Reef’s Latest Status

2024: December – Home Reef Erupts. There has been an eruption, producing a small ash cloud (below 2km) and a medium level thermal anomaly at 79 MW.

 

Home Reef’s Eruptive History

 

Year	Overview
1852	Possible submarine eruption (eyewitness reports may exist, but confirmation is challenging)
1857	Possible submarine eruption (same challenges as the 1852 event)
1984	Surtseyan eruption leading to the formation of a temporary island. Eruptions produced ash plumes reaching 12 km in height.
2006	Major surtseyan eruption and island formation, marked by extensive pumice rafts floating over large distances.
2022	Satellite observations confirmed a new eruption with ash emissions and signs of fresh volcanic material at the surface, likely leading to another island formation.
2023	Ongoing volcanic activity evidenced by thermal anomalies and gas and ash emissions.
2024	December: There has been an eruption, producing a small ash cloud (below 2km) and a medium level thermal anomaly at 79 MW.

 

Home Reef Monitoring

Please refer to Tonga Geological Services for monitoring of this volcano.

 

Home Reef Images