World

Volcanic eruption in Tonga creates new island, although it could soon disappear

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this photo, taken Jan. 14, 2015 and released by Military of Foreign Affairs Tonga (MFAT), a volcano erupts near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. A volcano that has been erupting for several weeks near Tonga has created a new island in the ocean. (AP Photo/Military of Foreign Affairs Tonga) (The Associated Press)

CORRECTS SOURCE - In this photo, taken Jan. 14, 2015 and released by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a volcano erupts near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. A volcano that has been erupting for several weeks near Tonga has created a new island in the ocean. (AP Photo/New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) (The Associated Press)

CORRECTS SOURCE - In this photo, taken Jan. 14, 2015 and released by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a volcano erupts near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. A volcano that has been erupting for several weeks near Tonga has created a new island in the ocean. (AP Photo/New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) (The Associated Press)

A volcanic eruption in Tonga has created a new island — although scientists say it could soon disappear.

The volcano has been erupting for a month in the ocean about 65 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the capital, Nuku'alofa. Last week it disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

New Zealand volcanologist Nico Fournier said Wednesday he traveled by boat close to the new island to take a look. He says it's made mainly of scoria and its dimensions are about 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) by 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles), and that it rises about 100 meters (109 yards) above the sea.

He says once the volcano stops erupting, it will likely take the ocean no more than a few months to erode the island entirely.