It's hard to believe, but this island Hunga Tonga (Hunga Tonga) appeared 6 years ago from nothing. An island consisting mainly of rocks appeared in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. Previously, there were only waves in its place.
This amazing place appeared between the two islands of the Kingdom of Tonga. Currently, the island has no official name, but the locals nicknamed it "Hunga Tonga" in honor of the underwater volcano that became the original source of the island.
Scientists are constantly monitoring the island: exploring the mass of the earth in order to learn more about how rare volcanic islands are formed.
Over the past 150 years, this is the 3rd known case of such an island. Therefore, the opportunity to explore such a rare place should not be missed.
How the island appeared.
Land mass surveys are mainly carried out using satellites and drones. However, quite recently, scientists nevertheless decided on an expedition in order to set foot on the unique island with their own eyes, see and admire the young island and explore its rocky slopes.
The island is very unusual and beautiful.
The island's landscapes are absolutely unique. While the scientists were on the island, they took GPS measurements and launched drones several times in order to maximize the collection of information and the necessary data for future research.
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During the expedition, scientists immediately noted that the island is not as flat as it seems on satellite images.
Many things on the island are simply amazing. The best part is that plant life quickly appeared in the soil of the island.
Green plants have appeared on the island.
In addition to plants, there are a large number of seabirds on the island.
On the island, birds of the gull family, the Dark Tern, are often found, which happily nest in ravines.
Dark tern.
Many different birds flew over the heads of the scientists.
Unfortunately, however, volcanic islands do not last long. And the island of Hunga Tonga is also threatened with extinction back into the depths of the ocean. Nobody knows how long it will remain part of the mainland.
The island is collapsing under the influence of precipitation much faster than researchers expected.
Analysis of the southern part of the island showed that it is already starting to sink into the water. And scientists are trying to collect as much information as possible about this natural phenomenon.
It is a pity that few will see it with their own eyes.