Floating Volcanic Stones and New Island in the South Pacific

This story was first published on 16th December 2006

Outline

Circulating photographs claim to depict large areas of volcanic stones floating on the ocean as well as the birth of a new volcanic island.  These rather compelling photographs have been circulating via email and social media since 2006.

Brief Analysis

The claims in the message are true. Although the images are certainly unusual, they are genuine. Both the phenomena of the floating stones and the newly formed volcanic island have been well documented by a variety of reliable sources including NASA

Example

Detailed Analysis

This email forward arrives with a series of photographs that depict a yacht’s encounter with a large area of floating volcanic stones and the apparent birth of a new volcanic island in the South Pacific Ocean. Although the images are certainly unusual, they are genuine. Both the phenomena of the floating stones and the newly formed volcanic island have now been well documented by a variety of reliable sources including NASA.

The Maiken attempted to sail into this massive pumice raft but was soon forced to turn back:

And then we sailed into a vast, many miles wide, belt of densely packed pumice. We were going by motor due to lack of wind and within seconds Maiken slowed down from seven to one knot. We were so fascinated and busy taking pictures that we plowed a couple of hundred meter into this surreal floating stone field before we realized that we had to turn back. Just as we came out of the stone field and entered reasonably normal water we noticed that there came no cooling water from the engine.

Several other vessels in the region at the time also observed large pumice rafts.

The day after their encounter with the pumice raft, the Maiken crew discovered the volcano itself:

A couple of hours ago we identified the active volcano as the one close to Home reef, and we are on our way there now to take a closer look.
We are two miles from it and we can see the volcano clearly. One mile in diameter and with four peaks and a central crater smoking with steam and once in a while an outburst high in the sky with lava and ashes.
I think were the first ones out here so perhaps we could claim the island and name them(?)

The following satellite image published by NASA’s Earth Observatory clearly shows a large pumice raft as well as the new island:

Photo courtesy Jesse Allen NASA Earth Observatory

Google Earth users can download a file showing the new island via the Earth Observatory website.

To read more about the Maiken’s adventures, visit the Fredrik and Crew on Maiken Blog.