A volcano has erupted underwater and created a new island in the Pacific Ocean

Rocks, steam and ash started shooting up to 1km into the air last Monday. So much lava was spewed out that, by Wednesday...

HomeNews 4 Kids3/26/2009[ Tongatapu, Island of Tonga ] Tell - A - Friend

Rocks, steam and ash started shooting up to 1km into the air last Monday. So much lava was spewed out that, by Wednesday, it had formed the island measuring hundreds of square meters.

The island is likely to last a few years but will be eroded away eventually by waves. It is formed of pumice, a rock created when lava and gases erupt in quite shallow water and cool rapidly.

It is seven miles away from Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga. The eruption sparked fears of a tsunami in the region. A warning was sent out to nearby islands but was cancelled later.

There are known to be around 5,000 active volcanoes underwater. Some are bigger than any on land.

Agencies

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