Geologic Background:
Monowai Seamount lies midway between the
Kermadec and Tonga Islands, Å1,400 km NE of New Zealand.
The adjacent trench is significantly shallower (Å4 km)
than the Tonga and Kermadec trenches (9-11 km deep).
Historic Activity:
- Activity has been detected in April 1977, January
1980, May 1982, and June 1986.
Recent Activity:
- Shallow submarine eruption on September 8, 1988, and
in August 1990.
- T-wave swarms in Oct.-Nov. 1990 and Jan.-Mar.
1991.
- Earthquake swarm Nov. 27-30, 1995.
- T-wave swarms, Sept. 20-22, 1996, interpreted as
eruption.
- Acousticly inferred eruption during April 17-20,
1997.
- Inferred eruption from seismic data during Dec 15-18,
1997, additional activity on Jan. 16-17 and Jan 31 to
Feb. 4, 1998.
- Strong acoustic crisis recorded during early June
1999.
Data Sources:
- Smithsonian's SEAN Bulletin (V. 13, No. 9)
- Global Volcanism Network (V. 15, No. 8 to V. 24, No.
6).
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