Skip to main content
Back to map
CompareShow on map

Tonga · Stratovolcano

Fonuafoʻou

Fonuafo'ou

Type
Stratovolcano
Elevation
17m (submarine)
Last eruption
1936
Fonuafoʻou
Photo: Thomson, James Allan (d. 1928) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Type
Stratovolcano
Country
Tonga
Region
Tonga & Kermadec / Tofua Volcanic Arc
Elevation
17m (submarine)
Coordinates
-20.320, -175.420
Last eruption
1936
Tectonic setting
Subduction zone / Oceanic crust (< 15 km)
Landform
Composite
Major rock type
Andesite / Basaltic andesite
Geological summary

The ephemeral Fonuafo'ou island in the central part of the Tonga Islands is also known as Falcon Island, named after the British vessel H.M.S. Falcon, which reported a shoal in 1865. Islands up to 6 km long were formed in 1885 and 1927 eruptions; in 1933 the island had a height of more than 145 m. Passing ships often reported "smoke" issuing from the site. The latest explosive activity was reported in 1936. By 1949 the island had eroded beneath sea level, but the summit remains at shallow depths.

Eruption history

9 recordedGlossary
Summary (VEI over time)
Click a bar to see individual eruptions · Use arrow keys to move between bars, Enter to open
1781~1797 · 1 eruptions · max VEI 01859~1874 · 1 eruptions · max VEI 01874~1890 · 2 eruptions · max VEI 31890~1905 · 1 eruptions · max VEI 01921~1936 · 4 eruptions · max VEI 217811812185918901921

Detailed timeline

  1. 1936VEI 2Observed
    1936-06-16 – end unknown
  2. 1933VEI 2Observed
    1933-04-16 – end unknown
  3. 1927VEI 2Observed
    1927-10-04 – 1928-09-16
  4. 1921VEI 0Method not stated
    1921-11-16 – end unknown
  5. 1894VEI 0Method not stated
    1894-12-16 – end unknown
  6. 1885VEI 3Observed
    1885-10-12 – 1886-07-02
  7. 1877VEI 2Observed
    1877-07-02 – end unknown
  8. 1865VEI 0Method not stated
    1865-07-02 – end unknown
  9. 1781VEI 0Method not stated
    1781 – end unknown

Nearby volcanoes

External links

⚠ For reference only. Not for emergency response.