First, in terms of nations and territory, it's not ownership that's important, but rather sovereignty. In this case, this new island will most likely be under Tongan sovereignty. Why? There is a precedent: the Minerva Reefs. read more
Minerva's neighboring states (Australia, Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and the New Zealand territory of the Cook Islands) met on February 24, 1972, and recognized Tonga's sovereignty over the islands. read more
It's not every day a new island pops up. The first photos from a newly-formed island in the Pacific are making the rounds online. The island, located off the coast of Tongatapu, began to form in January from a volcano eruption. GP Orbassano, a photographer and hotel owner in Tonga, visited the island recently with friends. read more
Tonga Boat Owner Wants to Name New Pacific Island After His Son Mar.15.2015 / 7: 14 PM ET / Updated Mar.15.2015 / 7: 32 PM ET Zandy Sugar steps walks on the shore of a new island created by a volcanic eruption earlier this year. read more