HOME REEF VOLCANO
A new volcanic island emerged in early to mid-August
2006 in the southwestern Pacific, the result of an eruption of the normally-underwater
Home Reef Volcano. Located between the Metis Shoal and Late Island
volcanoes, the Home Reef Volcano is part of the Tofua Volcanic Arc in the
central Tonga Islands (see NASA
satellite photos of new island at Home Reef Volcano).
The eruption resulted in the formation of extensive floating
rafts of dacite pumice (see
example photos here) (more
photos & info. here). Home Reef pumice varies from small
lapilli-sized pieces to boulder-sized chunks.
Dacite pumice (4.1 x 3.4 cm) from August 2006 eruption of Home Reef Volcano.
Dacite pumice (4.6 cm across) from August 2006 eruption of Home Reef Volcano.
Dacite pumice (8.4 x 8.3 cm) from August 2006 eruption of Home Reef Volcano.
The pumice material shown above washed ashore in the
northern Fiji Islands in mid-September 2006, after having floated ~220 miles
across the ocean from the Home Reef Volcano. Encrusting barnacles
consistent with 20-30 days growth are not uncommon on the larger pieces from
this pumice raft (see above photo - the barnacles are the white structures near
the top). This Home Reef dacite pumice is light to medium gray in color,
with common black phenocrysts of disrupted hornblende amphibole.
Collection locality: beach near Savusavu, southeastern shores of Vanua
Levu island, northern Fiji Islands, Melanesia, southwestern Pacific Ocean.