(Image Credit: Lothar Slabon/New Zealand Herald/AP )

The AFP reported that a volcanic eruption near the South Pacific nation of Tonga has destroyed rich birdlife and vegetation, leaving a wasteland of black ash and tree stumps.

Radio journalist George Lavaka visited the island Thursday and said the explosions were accompanied by a deep rumbling. "The island itself is totally destroyed," Lavaka said, "there is no living thing left there, it's all covered in black ash. "There are only black stumps where the coconut trees were," he added. "We saw dead birds and fish in the water."

Tonga's chief geologist Kelepi Mafi, who inspected the area Thursday, said the volcano has two vents, one on Hunga Ha'apai and another around 100 metres offshore. The volume of the rock and ash coming from the vents has completely filled the gap between the offshore vent and Hunga Ha'apai, increasing the island's land mass by hundreds of square metres.

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VOLCANO OF THE MONTH



Mount Redoubt

AVO's webcam is located at the Redoubt Hut, approximately 7.5 mi (12 km) from Redoubt's summit crater. This camera provides a view of the north flank of Redoubt.

For more detailed information,
Visit the AVO website!