Pacific Island Has Doubled Its Size

Chronicle (Levin), 11 August 1949, Page 9

Pacific Island Has Doubled Its Size

AUCKLAND, August 10. Submarine voleanic aetion has more than doubled the size of Matthew Island, a tiny cone of land 200 iniles east of New Caledonia. This trangformation in the stretch of the Pacifie where seen and unseen volcanoes play strange tricks, was eonfirmed by the New Zealand frigate Pukaki before she returned to Auckland today from an Islands cruise. The investigatiou was prompted by a report from the British Phosphate Commission's freighter Triona. Until recently Matthew Island was a mere 30 'acres of land clinging to the single peak of -old volcanic origin. However, the Pukaki found a second 500ft peak tossed up alongside the first. In the shape of an hour glass, the island had grown to about 1200 yards in length and 800 yards in width. Its sides fell precipitously ,to the sea and although no landing was possible, the ship was able to make a close approaeh in deep water. Wisps' of steam or smoke were issuing from beneath

rock and heavy spoil that formed the new land. However, there was no sign of volcanic activity from the cratei near the summit of the freshly erupted peak. Matthew Island was diseovered in 178S. Although rough grass has grown on the oider portion of the land, it is arid and uninhabited. It is chiefly known to passing ships because of its huge population of sea birds.