Pros and cons of growing your own island nation?

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by Proteus

So, to get a volcano to grow from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to just touch the surface...

There's no need for that. There are many, many seamounts - underwater volcanoes that didn't grow big enough to break the surface and become islands - in the seas. Pick one that isn't far below the surface in a spot you like and finish growing it to island status.