Fonualei
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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.[1] The closest island to Fonualei is Tokū 19.7 km to the southeast.
Geography
The island is the peak of an active volcano which rises 1000m from the seafloor.[2] It has a diameter of 2 km and a maximum height of 188m.[3] The coast is surrounded by cliffs, with only two beaches suitable for a landing.[2] The western, southern, and north-eastern sides have narrow fringing reefs.[2]
History
In the 1830s the inhabitants of Tokū used Fonualei for their gardens.[4]Template:Rp
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]Template:Rp
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]Template:Rp 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]Template:Rp The only land-based mammal is the Insular flying fox.[12]Template:Rp The island is rat-free.[12]Template:Rp
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]Template:Rp
See also
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References
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- ↑ Sharp, Andrew, The discovery of the Pacific Islands Oxford 1960, p.149
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- D. Gerstle; Gentle people, into the heart of Vavaʻu 1781–1973; Tofua press 1973