| Fonualei | |
|---|---|
) image of Fonualei Island, northern Tonga, Pacific Ocean | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 180 m (590 ft) [1] |
| Listing | List of volcanoes in Tonga |
| Coordinates | 18°01′26″S 174°19′30″W / 18.024°S 174.325°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Tonga Islands |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | June 1957 |
Fonualei is an uninhabited 5 km2 volcanic island close to Vavaʻu in the kingdom of Tonga. It was seen by Don Francisco Mourelle de la Rua on the La Princesa on 26 February 1781.[2] He reported the island to be barren from eruptions, and called it for that reason Amargura (Bitterness in Spanish).
A major eruption in 1846, starting 11 June, destroyed much of the vegetation of Vavaʻu and spread ash around for at least a year. Some sources claim that three other neighbouring volcanoes, Late, Tokū and another, erupted at the same time. This is probably a mistake by passing ships who misidentified the erupting island.
The closest island to Fonualei is Tokū 19.7 km to the southeast.
See also
References
- ^ "Fonualei". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ^ Sharp, Andrew, The discovery of the Pacific Islands Oxford 1960, p.149
- D. Gerstle; Gentle people, into the heart of Vavaʻu 1781–1973; Tofua press 1973
- Dirk HR Spennemann, The June 1846 Eruption of Fonualei Volcano, Tonga. An Historical Analysis. The Johnstone Centre. Report Nº 196.