| Country | Tonga |
| Volcanic Region | Tofua Volcanic Arc |
| Landform | Volc Type | Composite | Stratovolcano |
| Last Known Eruption | 1936 CE |
| Coordinates | 20.32°S, 175.42°W |
| Elevation | -17 m (-56 ft) |
| Volcano Number | 243050 |
 Google Earth Placemark with Features
| |
 Cite Volcano Profile
| |
The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports available for Fonuafo'ou.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Fonuafo'ou.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Fonuafo'ou.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Fonuafo'ou.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There is data available for 5 confirmed eruptive periods.
1936 Jun 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 Jun 16 ± 15 days - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||||||
|
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
|
|||||||||||||||||||
1933 Apr 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 Apr 16 ± 15 days - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||||||
|
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
|
|||||||||||||||||||
1927 Oct 4 - 1928 Sep 16 (on or after) ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 Oct 4 - 1928 Sep 16 (on or after) ± 15 days | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
List of 9 Events for Episode 1
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[ 1921 Nov 16 ± 15 days ] Uncertain Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 Nov 16 ± 15 days - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
List of 3 Events for Episode 1
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
[ 1894 Dec 16 ± 15 days ] Uncertain Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1894 Dec 16 ± 15 days - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
List of 3 Events for Episode 1
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
1885 Oct 12 (?) - 1886 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 3
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 Oct 12 (?) - 1886 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On the night of 12 October 1885, following an earthquake the previous day, a flash of light and detonations were reported. Explosive eruptions were observed by the H.M.S. Sandfly the following day that ejected steam and black columns along a fissure reported to be 3 km long. An island reported to be 4-6 km long was seen on 14 October, and explosions produced columns to about 3 km height (Baker, 1885). The eruption continued into 1886. In October 1889 the island was a nearly symmetrical oval, with a conical hill (about 1/3 the estimated size of the island when the eruption ended) truncated by an eroding cliff on one side and volcanic bombs scattered over the slope, along with steaming and a sulfur odor; the other part of the island consisted of a flat area about 3-4 m above high tide level (Lister, 1890). Over the next six years (by 1896) Hoffmeister (1929) reported that the island had been reduced to about 800 m diameter, and three years after that (1898) there was just a shoal about 100 m in diameter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
List of 9 Events for Episode 1
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1877 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1877 Jul 2 ± 182 days - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||||||
| "Smoke" was seen issuing from the sea in 1877 by the H.M.S. Sappho (Thomson, 1926). | |||||||||||||||||||
|
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
|
|||||||||||||||||||
[ 1865 Jul 2 ± 182 days ] Uncertain Eruption
| Episode 1 | Uncertain | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1865 Jul 2 ± 182 days - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | |||||||||||||
| A breaking reef was reported in 1865. No specific mention was made of an eruption. The CAVW treats the event as a submarine eruption, although other compilers do not. | ||||||||||||||
|
List of 1 Events for Episode 1
|
||||||||||||||
[ 1781 ] Uncertain Eruption
| Episode 1 | Uncertain | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1781 - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | |||||||||||||
| "Culebras Bank" was first reported at this location in 1781 by the vessel Maurelle (CAVW). No specific mention was made of eruptive activity, although the CAVW (p. 14) treats the event as an island-forming eruption. Other compilers such as Thomson (1926) do not list an eruption in this year. | ||||||||||||||
|
List of 1 Events for Episode 1
|
||||||||||||||
This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.
Synonyms |
| Fonua Fo'ou | Culebras Bank (?) | Kahe Kahe | Fefina | Falcon Island |
There are no samples for Fonuafo'ou in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.
| Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
| MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
| MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
|
WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
| Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
| EarthScope Consortium SAGE seismic stations/networks | EarthScope Consortium operates the NSF Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (GAGE) and NSF Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (SAGE). The linked map shows the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Fonuafo'ou. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
| Large Eruptions of Fonuafo'ou | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
| EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |
The active crater of Fonuafo'ou (formerly known as Falcon Island) through the SE breach and a plume that is dispersed to the NW by dominant SE Trade Winds. The ephemeral island in the central part of the Tonga Islands had been named after the British vessel H.M.S. Falcon, which reported the shoal in 1865. This volcano has been the site of eruptions on at least two occasions since the 19th century. By 1949 the island had eroded beneath sea level, but the summit of the volcano remains at shallow depths.