Fonualei

Fonualei is an uninhabited volcanic island in the kingdom of Tonga. It 70 km northwest of Vavaʻu and is part of the highly active Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone and its associated volcanic arc, which extends from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji, and is formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Indo-Australian Plate.[2] The closest island to Fonualei is Tokū 19.7 km to the southeast.

Fonualei
image of Fonualei Island, northern Tonga, Pacific Ocean
Highest point
Elevation188 m (617 ft)[1]
ListingList of volcanoes in Tonga
Coordinates18.024°S 174.325°W / -18.024; -174.325
Geography
LocationTonga Islands
Geology
Mountain typeStratovolcano
Last eruptionJune 1957

Geography

The island is the peak of an active volcano which rises 1000m from the seafloor.[3] It has a diameter of 2 km and a maximum height of 188m.[1] The coast is surrounded by cliffs, with only two beaches suitable for a landing.[3] The western, southern, and north-eastern sides have narrow fringing reefs.[3]

History

In the 1830s the inhabitants of Tokū used Fonualei for their gardens.[4]: 4 

The first European to sight the island was Don Francisco Mourelle de la Rua on the La Princesa on 26 February 1781.[5] He reported the island to be barren from eruptions, and called it for that reason Amargura (Bitterness in Spanish).[6] It was subsequently seen by La Pérouse on 27 December 1787, and by HMS Pandora during its hunt for the Bounty mutineers, who named it "Gardner’s Island".[4]: 4 

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. Another eruption was reported in July 1938.[7]

In the 1980s the island was leased for 30 years to the Chen family as part of a scheme to sell Tongan passports to wealthy foreigners.[8][9]

In September 2022 scientists mapping marine life noted discolouration in the water near the island and emissions of sulphuric gases.[10]

Ecology

The island has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.[11] It is home to a large colony of Sooty terns.[11] Other birds found on the island include the Tongan ground dove, Pacific imperial pigeon, Spotless crake, Australasian swamphen, Polynesian wattled honeyeater, and Polynesian starling.[12]: 9  Sea- and shorebirds include the brown and red-footed Booby, the great and Lesser frigatebird, White tern, Red-tailed tropicbird, the black and brown Noddy, Pacific golden plover, and Bristle-thighed curlew.[12]: 9  The only land-based mammal is the Insular flying fox.[12]: 9  The island is rat-free.[12]: 12 

In 1993 Fonualei was assessed as a potential habitat for the critically endangered Tongan megapode.[13] 70 eggs and 10 chicks were translocated.[14] The introduction was successful, and in 2003 the population was estimated at 300 to 500 birds.[14] In 2013 it was estimated at 600 to 1,000 adults.[12]: 13 

See also

References
  1. "Fonualei". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  2. Turner, Simon; Caulfield, John; Rushmer, Tracy; Turner, Michael; Cronin, Shane; Smith, Ian; Handley, Heather (June 2012). "Magma Evolution in the Primitive, Intra-oceanic Tonga Arc: Rapid Petrogenesis of Dacites at Fonualei Volcano". Journal of Petrology. 53 (6): 1231–1253. doi:10.1093/petrology/egs005.
  3. Brodie, J. W. (1970). "Notes on volcanic activity at Fonualei, Tonga". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 13 (1): 30–38. doi:10.1080/00288306.1970.10428204. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  4. Spennemann, Dirk HR (2004). "The June 1846 Eruption of Fonualei Volcano, Tonga: An Historical Analysis" (PDF). Albury, NSW: Johnstone Centre. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. Sharp, Andrew, The discovery of the Pacific Islands Oxford 1960, p.149
  6. "CAPTAIN COOK MET A LIAR SO VAVA'U 'FELL' TO A WEARY SPANIARD". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 44, no. 10. 1 October 1973. p. 49. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "ERUPTION ON ISLAND". The Sun. Sydney. 14 July 1938. p. 9. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Stormin' Pohiva fights on". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 61, no. 4. 1 April 1991. p. 14. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Tonga's passport controversy". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 52, no. 1. 1 January 1981. p. 36. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. Kalino Latu (5 September 2022). "Fonualei recent volcanic activities spark fears of possible eruptions, tsunami that could affect the whole of Vava'u". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  11. "Fonualei : Summary". BirdLife International. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  12. David J. Butler (September 2013). BIRD SURVEYS OF LATE AND FONUALEI ISLANDS, VAVA'U, KINGDOM OF TONGA (PDF) (Report). SPREP. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  13. "Refugees on remote volcanoes". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 63, no. 4. 1 April 1993. pp. 34–35. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. "Megapodes alive and well on Fonualei". Guardian. 24 July 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  • D. Gerstle; Gentle people, into the heart of Vavaʻu 1781–1973; Tofua press 1973
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