Underwater volcanic eruption creates new bigger island in Tongan archipelago

Nuku'alofa (Tonga), Nov 7: An undersea volcanic eruption in the Tongan archipelago has sunk one island and created another three times larger, according to a report by geologists released Thursday.

Taaniela Kula, of the Tonga Geological Service, said the new Lateiki island is estimated to be about 100 metres (110 yards) wide and 400 metres long, and is situated about 120 metres west of its submerged predecessor.

It lies between Kao and Late in the Pacific kingdom's northern Ha'apai group of islands. The upheaval followed an 18-day undersea eruption last month in an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Tonga sits on the notorious Ring of Fire, an area of frequent seismic activity in the Pacific Ocean and which is responsible for about 90 per cent of the world's earthquakes. In late 2014 the eruption of an undersea volcano created another Tongan island that is now home to plants and birdlife.