Tongan volcano has created a substantial new island

Clouds of ash and gas rise from the cone of a new volcanic island some 65 kilometres (40 miles) southwest of Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa. 

The Tongan volcano has created a substantial new island since it began erupting in December, spewing out huge volumes of rock and dense ash that has killed nearby vegetation, officials said. 

The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry said the volcano was erupting from two vents, one on the uninhabited island of Hunga Ha'apai and the other underwater about 100 metres offshore.

Picture: AFP/Getty