The island is the peak of an active volcano which rises 1000m from the seafloor.[3] It has a diameter of 2 km and a maximum height of 188m.[1] The coast is surrounded by cliffs, with only two beaches suitable for a landing.[3] The western, southern, and north-eastern sides have narrow fringing reefs.[3]
History
In the 1830s the inhabitants of Tokū used Fonualei for their gardens.[4]: 4
The first European to sight the island was DonFrancisco Mourelle de la Rua on the La Princesa on 26 February 1781.[5] He reported the island to be barren from eruptions, and called it for that reason Amargura (Bitterness in Spanish).[6] It was subsequently seen by La Pérouse on 27 December 1787, and by HMS Pandora during its hunt for the Bounty mutineers, who named it "Gardner’s Island".[4]: 4
A major eruption in 1846, starting 11 June, destroyed much of the vegetation of Vavaʻu and spread ash around for at least a year. Some sources claim that three other neighbouring volcanoes, Late, Tokū and another, erupted at the same time. This is probably a mistake by passing ships who misidentified the erupting island. Another eruption was reported in July 1938.[7]
In the 1980s the island was leased for 30 years to the Chen family as part of a scheme to sell Tongan passports to wealthy foreigners.[8][9]
In September 2022 scientists mapping marine life noted discolouration in the water near the island and emissions of sulphuric gases.[10]
In 1993 Fonualei was assessed as a potential habitat for the critically endangered Tongan megapode.[13] 70 eggs and 10 chicks were translocated.[14] The introduction was successful, and in 2003 the population was estimated at 300 to 500 birds.[14] In 2013 it was estimated at 600 to 1,000 adults.[12]: 13
^"ERUPTION ON ISLAND". The Sun. Sydney. 14 July 1938. p. 9. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Stormin' Pohiva fights on". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 61, no. 4. 1 April 1991. p. 14. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Tonga's passport controversy". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 52, no. 1. 1 January 1981. p. 36. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Refugees on remote volcanoes". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 63, no. 4. 1 April 1993. pp. 34–35. Retrieved 22 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.