Explosive Eruptions at Underwater Volcano Off Tonga Cancel Flights

Ash explosions continue at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano

Large ash eruptions continue at the underwater Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano located about about 30 km south-southeast of Fonuafoʻou (aka, Falcon Island) and 65km north of the Tongan capital, Nuku’alofa.

Local officials have warned of volcanic ash falling across the region, said the Matangi Tonga online.

“The Ministry of Health should be advised to watch for any anomalies in cases of respiratory problems, eye symptoms, and skin irritation that may be due to ash falls,” the warning says.

Meantime, the volcano continued to eject ash up to 9,000m into the air, said the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC).

“Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, pacific Blue and domestic flights in Tonga [as well as Virgin flights] have been grounded as concerns over volcanic ash grow,” said a report.

“Tonga residents described a spectacular sight, with the enormous plume from the volcano shooting high into the sky and a muddy discharge underwater turning areas of the sea off the island blood red,” said another report.

Related Links

• Grey ash falls like rain at Hunga Ha’apai

M6.5 Quake Strikes Tonga

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
NIGHTMARE SCENARIO 08
.

Strong Earthquake Hits NE of Nuku`alofa, Tonga

Centered at 20.717°S, 174.673°W the event occurred at a depth of about 10.0km (6.2mi), according to USGS/EHP.

Earthquake Details
Magnitude: 6.7Mw
Event Time: 2014-04-26 06:02:16 UTC
Location: 20.717°S 174.673°W depth=10.0km (6.2mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 71km (44mi) NE of Nuku`alofa, Tonga
• 777km (483mi) ESE of Suva, Fiji
• 821km (510mi) SSW of Tafuna, American Samoa

EQ Location Map

Source: USGS/EHP

Tsunami Evaluation

There’s NO tsunami danger associated with this quake.

FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast

The next detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast will be released together with Bulletin NO. 92 on April 26.

 

Cyclone IAN Leaves Thousands of Tongans Homeless

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
.

IAN destroys 75 percent of houses in Pangai, capital of the Haʻapai Group, Tonga

The category 5 tropical cyclone killed at least one person, injuring many leaving thousands of people homeless, as it swept through the Tongan Islands with sustained winds of more than 200 km/h over the weekend.

“The worst affected area was the northern part of the Ha’apai group of islands, with damage to buildings and services such as water, telecommunications and power, said a report.

IAN carves a wide path of destruction on Foa island in Tonga’s Ha’apai group. Image credit: @ProudTongans.

“It was so strong, all the houses gone and it actually lifted cars, lifted cars and moved buses,” said an eye-witness.

On Saturday, IAN  slammed into the northern Tongan islands with sustained winds of 300 km/h destroying or damaging 70% of homes, according to emergency officials.

There are reports of extensive damage also to most of the smaller islands, said officials.

Related Links

• IAN Causes Widespread Destruction on Tonga Islands January 12, 2014
• Super Cyclone IAN Targeting Ha’apai islands, Tonga January 11, 2014
• IAN Threatens Tonga with Cat 4 Hurricane Winds Posted by feww on January 10, 2014

IAN Causes Widespread Destruction on Tonga Islands

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT
.

Super Cyclone IAN destroys or damages 70% of homes in Tonga’s northern islands: Emergency Officials

The massive cyclone, probably the worst to hit Tonga in recorded history, slammed into the northern islands on Saturday on its way to the main island.

Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN.  IR [BD Enhancement] Satellite Image. Recorded at 02:52UTC on Sunday, January 12, 2014.  Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

Tonga’s director of emergencies has expressed grave concerns for the islands in the Ha’apai island group where communications have been cut, said ABC Australia.

The full extent of damage from the cyclone is not yet known because there is no communication with much of the Ha’apai group of islands, ABC Australia quoted him as saying.

“The picture comes to hand now, it was really bad,” he said.

“I think it was 70 per cent of the housing of the two islands that we have access to now have been affected – destroyed or partially damaged.

“We have got some people sheltered in some of the evacuation centres, buildings and some of the churches.”

The island of Lifuka is reportedly the worst hit area.

IAN has since weakened to a Cat 3 cyclone, moving away from Tonga and out into the ocean.

Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale. Copyright: FIRE-EARTH Blog.

Related Links

• Super Cyclone IAN Targeting Ha’apai islands, Tonga January 11, 2014
• IAN Threatens Tonga with Cat 4 Hurricane Winds Posted by feww on January 10, 2014

Super Cyclone IAN Targeting Ha’apai islands, Tonga

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT

IAN the most powerful cyclone to hit northern islands of Tonga

Tonga has declared a state of emergency for the northern islands, after the authorities reported extensive damage to homes on Hunga.

IAN is forecast to track east of Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, but could still cause large scale destruction to property and infrastructure.

FIRE-EARTH Models showed IAN had intensified to a super cyclone with sustained winds of about 235 km/h gusting to over 280 km/h at 04:20UTC on January 11, 2014.

Super Cyclone IAN.  Water Vapor [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] Satellite Image. Recorded at 03:52UTC on Saturday, January 11, 2014.  Initial Image Sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

The FIJI Met Office has just issued the following Warning:

Special Weather Bulletin Number TWENTY EIGHT for Tonga
ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE IAN –
ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI (FIJI) – Jan 11, 2014  at 04:20UTC

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING.

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE HA’APAI GROUP.
A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE TONGATAPU GROUP BUT IS NOW
CANCELED FOR VAVAU GROUP.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF TONGA.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE IAN CENTRE [935HPA] CAT 5 WAS LOCATED NEAR 19
DECIMAL 5 SOUTH 174 DECIMAL 2 WEST OR ABOUT 55 NAUTICAL MILES
SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF VAVA’U AND 10 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHEAST OF HA’APAI
AT [11 Jan 03:00UTC ]  IAN IS CURRENTLY MOVING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-SOUTHEAST AT
ABOUT 08 KNOTS. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE
AVERAGE WINDS UP TO ABOUT 110 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 155
KNOTS.

ON THIS FORECAST TRACK, THE CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED ABOUT
95 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF HA’APAI OR ABOUT 85 NAUTICAL
MILES EAST OF NUKUALOFA AT [11 Jan at 15:00UTC] AND ABOUT 140 NAUTICAL MILES
SOUTHEAST OF NUKUALOFA OR ABOUT 185 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF
HA’APAI AT [12 Jan 03:00UTC]

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS MAY BEGIN SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE CYCLONE CENTRE
PASSES OVERHEAD OR NEARBY.

FOR THE HA’APAI GROUP:
EXPECT VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEED OF
110 KNOTS AND MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 155 KNOTS. WINDS EXPECTED TO EASE TO
AVERAGE SPEED OF 65 KNOTS WITHIN THE NEXT 6 HOURS. HEAVY RAIN AND
SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW LYING
COASTAL AREAS. PHENOMENAL SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

FOR THE TONGATAPU GROUP:
EXPECT DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEED OF 40 KNOTS AND
MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 55 KNOTS. RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES AND SQUALLY
THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL
AREAS. HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

FOR THE REST OF TONGA:
CLOCKWISE WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 40 KNOTS. OCCASIONAL RAIN
AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO
HEAVY SWELLS.

Tropical Cyclone Scales

Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale. Copyright: FIRE-EARTH Blog.

Southwest Indian Ocean
Very Intense Tropical Cyclone: sustained winds  >115 kt  (>212 km/h)
Intense Tropical Cyclone: sustained winds of 90–115 kt (166–212 km/h)
Tropical Cyclone:  sustained winds of 64–89 kt (118–165 km/h)
Severe Tropical Storm: winds of 48–63 kt (89–117 km/h)
Moderate Tropical Storm:  winds of 34–47 kt (63–88 km/h)
Tropical Depression: wind of 28–33 kt (51–62 km/h)
Tropical Disturbance: winds <28 kt ( <50 km/h).

Related Links

• IAN Threatens Tonga with Cat 4 Hurricane Winds Posted by feww on January 10, 2014

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Tonga

Earthquake Measuring Up to M 7.1 Strikes Near NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga

A powerful earthquake measuring up to 7.1 Mw struck  about 135 km (85 miles) ENE of NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga at a depth of 10 km on  November 24, 2009 at 12:47 UTC.

The quake was followed by at least two aftershocks, the stronger of which measured up to 5.8 Mw.

Tsunami Evaluation:

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center/NOAA/NWS Evaluated the Tsunami Hazard as follows:

NO DESTRUCTIVE WIDESPREAD TSUNAMI THREAT EXISTS BASED ON HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI DATA.

HOWEVER – EARTHQUAKES OF THIS SIZE SOMETIMES GENERATE LOCAL TSUNAMIS THAT CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE ALONG COASTS LOCATED WITHIN A HUNDRED KM OF THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER. AUTHORITIES IN THE REGION OF THE EPICENTER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS POSSIBILITY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

FEWW Comment: Does the SW Pacific region including Tonga, Fiji, and Samoan Islands regions act as a ‘planetary seismic shock damper?’  How much longer will the service last?

10-degree Map Centered at 20°S,175°W

Earthquake location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude: 6.8  [Maximum quake magnitude estimated at 7.1 Mw by FEWW]
• Date-Time:
  • Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 12:47:14 UTC
  • Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 02:47:14 AM at epicenter
• Location: 20.641°S, 174.068°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Region: TONGA
• Distances:
  • 135 km (85 miles) ENE of NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga
  • 220 km (135 miles) S of Neiafu, Tonga
  • 480 km (300 miles) E of Ndoi Island, Fiji
  • 2100 km (1300 miles) NE of Auckland, New Zealand
• Location: Uncertainty horizontal +/- 5.6 km (3.5 miles); depth fixed by location program
• Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2009pja1

Related Links:

• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes [Main Index Page]
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes affect life on earth

Samoa Tsunami Update

Samoa Tsunami: Images and Update

The tsunami occurred after a  massive earthquake measuring up to 8.4 Mw struck in the Samoa Islands Region about 185 km (115 miles) east-northeast of Hihifo, Tonga and 195 km (125 miles) south  of APIA, Samoa.

According to various reports

• A series of of three or more tsunamis struck into the Pacific islands of American and Western Samoa destroying villages
• At least 4 villages were wiped off.
• Dozens of people, including many children, were  swept out to sea

• As many as 100 people have been killed, with many hundred more injured

• U.S. President Obama has declared American Samoa a major disaster area
• A 4-meter (13-foot) wave hit the  northern coast of Tonga.
• A Pacific-wide tsunami warning was issued, but later canceled.

• Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a local tsunami warning for its east coast, warning of a possible tsunami waves measuring up to 50cm.
• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later reported that small tsunami waves had indeed reached Hawaii, and warned swimmers and boats that the waves could prove dangerous.
• Several  South Pacific island nations reported rising sea levels.

Formerly Leone village, American Samoa. Photograph: Ardie Roque/EPA. Image may be subject to copyright.

Cont…

• The southern section of American Samoa’s main Tutuila island  was “devastated,” its governor said, with at least 24 people  killed and twice as many injured.
• As video images come in,  the extent of the damage becomes more evident with homes destroyed by the waves, large fishing boats hurled ashore, and vehicles piled on top of each other.
• “Some areas have been flattened and the tsunami brought a lot of sand onshore, so there have been reports the sand has covered some of the bodies,” Western Samoa’s disaster management office said.

• “They are still continuing the searches for any missing bodies in the area,” they said, adding that the southern section of their country’s main island of Upolu was the worst hit.

A section of Fagatogo, Tutuila Island, Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, is seen inundated after the tsunami struck. Photograph: Fili Sagapolutele/AP.  Image may be subject to copyright.

Related Links:

• Magnitude 8.3 Quake Strikes Samoa Islands Region
• The Largest Earthquake