The Tonga Geological Services reported that the eruption at Home Reef continued during 24 May-7 June. Satellite images from 27 May showed explosive activity with an ash-and-gas plume rising from an enlarged crater and drifting around 20 km SE. Thermal data after that event showed a drop in heat output, and effusion and explosive activity stopped. Shadows created by the plume made crater size estimates difficult, but a clear satellite view on 1 June showed that it was about 110 x 245 m. There were also three landslide areas, on the E, NW, and SW coasts, originating from the flanks of the cone that may have occurred during the 27 May activity. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-level scale, the Maritime Alert Level remained at Orange (the third level on a four-level scale) with advice to stay at least 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from the island, and the Alert Level for residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai remained at Green (the first level on a four-level scale).

Geological Summary. Home Reef, a submarine volcano midway between Metis Shoal and Late Island in the central Tonga islands, was first reported active in the mid-19th century, when an ephemeral island formed. An eruption in 1984 produced a 12-km-high eruption plume, large amounts of floating pumice, and an ephemeral 500 x 1,500 m island, with cliffs 30-50 m high that enclosed a water-filled crater. In 2006 an island-forming eruption produced widespread dacitic pumice rafts that drifted as far as Australia. Another island was built during a September-October 2022 eruption.

Source: Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga