A volcanic eruption resulted in the formation of a gorgeous new island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but don't make plans to visit.

Scientists warn that the 16,000-foot-long island, which began to form in December following the eruption of the underwater Hunga Tonga volcano, will quickly erode into the ocean. Furthermore, experts caution against travel to the island, citing the instability.

"It will be very loose and unconsolidated material. It's formed by fragmentation of magma, so it's basically small pieces of rock on top of each other that have formed an island," Matt Watson, of the University of Bristol, told BBC News.

Against expert advice, Tonga locals voyaged to the island and returned with stunning photographs: