Raoul Island is the largest and northernmost of the main Kermadec Islands, 900 km (560 mi) south south-west of 'Ata Island of Tonga and 1,100 km (680 mi) north north-east of New Zealand's North Island. It has been the source of vigorous volcanic activity during the past several thousand years that was dominated by dacitic explosive eruptions.
Raoul Island as seen by STS-8 in 1983. Herald Islets at top right. North at top.
Raoul Island, looking towards the minor islands northeast
The Kermadec Islands are a subtropical island arc in the South Pacific Ocean 800–1,000 km (500–620 mi) northeast of New Zealand's North Island, and a similar distance southwest of Tonga. The islands are part of New Zealand. They are 33.6 km2 (13.0 sq mi) in total area and uninhabited, except for the permanently staffed Raoul Island Station, the northernmost outpost of New Zealand.
Raoul Island from space
View from Raoul Island
Bathymetry of the Kermadec volcanic island arc and surrounding areas
The Kermadec scalyfin – part of the rich marine biota of the Kermadecs