Airline services from South Pacific countries to Tonga are now operating as normal while pictures supplied to Kaniva News show a new volcanic island appeared between Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai.
The Hungas are two volcanoes in the Ha’apai group where ash cloud erupted and disrupted Tonga’s international and internal flights this week.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanoes are around 60km north of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa.
Its ash plume has reached heights of more than 4,500 metres into the sky.
The volcanic activities continue but eased slightly this morning.
The photos were supplied by a source at Tonga’s Ministry of MCECCE who asked not to be named. The source said officers at the Ministry estimated the new island emerged about 10 metres above sea level.
Air New Zealand did not immediately respond when we requested for comments but Fairfax Media said Air New Zealand “has put on two extra services today to accommodate affected travellers”.
“The first extra flight left Auckland this morning and the second is due to leave tonight”.
In March 2009, a shot-lived but powerful eruption was spotted at the same scene and it lasted for almost a week.
At the time, geologists said the eruption originated from two volcanic vents.
It was not immediately clear whether the new volcanic activities related to the 2009 event or not.
On Tuesday 13 Air New Zealand said: “Flight NZ970 operating between Auckland and Nuku‛alofa yesterday was diverted to Samoa and later returned to Auckland. As a result the return leg – flight NZ973 – from Nuku‛alofa to Auckland was also cancelled.
An additional return service was due to operate today to re-accommodate these passengers but this has unfortunately since been cancelled due to conditions in Tonga. Today’s scheduled return service NZ970 Auckland – Tonga and NZ973 Tonga – Auckland has also been cancelled.
