The dramatic birth of a new volcanic island in the Pacific has been witnessed by an international team of scientists.

The rare event was captured on film by researchers during an expedition to the Solomon Islands.
The Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation's (Csiro) Research Vessel Franklin, based in Australia, found the Kavachi seamount had entered a new phase of eruptive activity after nine years of apparent dormancy
Molten ash shot 500 metres (1,600 ft) into the air every five minutes of the team's 20-hour visit.

The peak of the volcano was forming a sandy, ashen beach two metres below sea level, with its regular, violent, bomb-like eruptions.

"We arrived at the seamount site to find waves breaking on the volcanic peak. Violent eruptions were taking place every five minutes," said expedition Chief Scientist Brent McInnes.