World

New volcanic land off Tonga 'perfect for golf'

11:28 am on 6 April 2009

One of the few people to have set foot on land created by an eruption off the coast of Tonga says it is perfect for golf.

Gian Piero Orbassano says about a dozen people a day have been travelling to Hunga Ha'apai Island to see its newly created land, which he says has doubled the island's size.

Mr Orbassano says that even from a boat there is still a lot to see because the volcanic vents are smoking and the water around the island remains yellow from sulphur.

But volcanologists are urging people to stay away because of the land's instability and the possibility of another eruption.