Volcanic (Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai) eruption in Tonga, near Nuku'alofa

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The discussion centers on the Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which erupted in 2009, creating an island north of Nuku'alofa. Recent reports indicate that the volcano may have been erupting again for over a week, first noted by a local fisherman on December 19. The eruption has not received widespread media attention, raising questions about how such events can go unreported for extended periods. Observations using Google Earth reveal minimal dramatic changes in the surrounding reef structures, with some photos showing steam from fissures but no significant geological alterations. The conversation highlights the importance of monitoring volcanic activity and the challenges in publicizing such events promptly.
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The same volcano which erupted out of the Pacific Ocean, 63 kilometres north of Nuku'alofa in 2009, creating an island. We somehow missed this in 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunga_Tonga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Tonga_undersea_volcanic_eruption
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20°34′S 175°23′W / 20.57°S 175.38°Whttp://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/64548453/Big-volcanic-eruption-near-Tongas-capital
http://matangitonga.to/2014/12/30/hunga-haapai-eruption-continues

http://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=243040

It looks like that island, or volcano, is getting bigger.

http://www.vulkaner.no/v/volcan/submarin/hunga.html
Cool video of 2009 eruption.
 
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Time to crank up "historical imagery" in Google Earth.
 
Known as the Hunga Ha'apai volcano, Matangi Tonga says it may have been erupting for more than a week.
I didn't know volcano eruptions could happen without anyone noting it for a week.
 
mfb said:
I didn't know volcano eruptions could happen without anyone noting it for a week.

It was noted by locals , obviously just not widely publicised

Known as the Hunga Ha'apai volcano, Matangi Tonga says it may have been erupting for more than a week.
The eruption was first reported by a fisherman who came back from the area on December 19, according to the Deputy Secretary of Lands and Natural Resources, Taniela Kula.

my bold
 
Looked it over with Google Earth just for a "big picture" context of a major geological event; floods and landslides make obvious major changes when comparing photos from different dates, so this should be dramatic, right? Got a couple photos of "steam" from fissures drifting downwind that look like a smoldering dump fire, no dramatic change of reef structures. This is a little bitty event.
 
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