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Posted by feww on October 8, 2017
CWB-326T
EQ Details:
Magnitude: 6.1mww [USGS]
Location: 19.013°S, 175.556°W [± 5.2 km, 153km NW of Pangai, Tonga – 173]
Depth: 10.0 km [± 1.9]
Time: 14:04:38 UTC 2017-10-08
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: CWB-326T, earthquake, M6.1, Pangai, Tonga, TONGA REGION | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 27, 2016
Location: 8.450°S 74.927°W (13.0 km WNW of Campoverde, Peru) depth=132.4 km
Time: 2016-05-27 10:00:49 (UTC)
Location: 26.517°N 96.447°E (103.0 km ESE of Khonsa, India) depth=74.8 km
Time: 2016-05-27 05:03:11 (UTC)
Location: 26.987°N 130.195°E (168.0 km SSE of Naze, Japan) depth=10.0 km
Time: 2016-05-27 03:44:29 (UTC)
Location: 20.826°S 178.671°W (19.0 km S of Ndoi Island, Fiji) depth=572.1 km
Time: 2016-05-27 04:08:44 (UTC)
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: earthquake, Fiji, India, Inutabu Seamount, Japan, Nazca Plate, peru, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on February 20, 2016
WINSTON, a category five storm packing destructive winds, is impacting Fiji’s biggest islands as it moves towards the capital, Suva.
Fijian authorities have issued a curfew for the entire Fiji, effective 6:00pm local time, said a report.
“This latest measure is designed to restrict movement and ensure the safety of all Fijians. Only essentials services will be permitted to travel,” the government said in broadcast.
The storm has already lashed the outer islands of Fiji after pummeling Tonga twice earlier in the week.
WINSTON, packing sustained winds of about 290 km/hr ( max. gusts of 330 km/hr) was located about 175km NNE of Suva at 04:00 UTC, moving west at 25 km/hr, and generating MSW of about 15m.
Check interactive Earth map at http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-179.79,-16.72,408/loc=179.047,-18.034
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Cyclone WINSTON, Fiji Islands, Tonga, Tropical Cyclone 11P, WINSTON | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on February 5, 2016
The South Pacific island-nation of Tonga has declared an outbreak of the Zika virus after five cases of the infection were confirmed.
The outbreak comes shortly after Brazilian government’s health authorities announced that active Zika virus had been detected in the saliva and urine of an unspecified number of patients.
Meanwhile, Spain confirmed Thursday that a pregnant woman was diagnosed with the Zika virus infection, the first reported case in Europe.
“The woman is among seven people who showed symptoms of Zika after visiting affected countries, the ministry said, adding that she was under medical treatment in the northeastern region of Catalonia,” said a report.
Earlier this week, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported a new case of infection involving the spread of virus through sex in Texas.
Zika in the U.S. (as of posting)
Global map of the predicted distribution of Ae. aegypti. The map depicts the probability of occurrence (from 0 blue to 1 red) at a spatial resolution of 5 km × 5 km. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.08347.004
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: active Zika virus, Ae. aegypti, Areas with Zika, Spain, Tonga, zika epidemic, Zika Outbreak | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on October 19, 2015
The event was followed by at lease three aftershocks measuring 4.8 to 5.1Mw.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: earthquake, Hihifo, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on June 12, 2015
Centered at 15.685°S, 173.056°W, about 79 km ENE of Hihifo, the quake occurred at a depth of 41.0 km (25.5 mi), USGS/EHP reported.
Latest quakes in the region
M6.0, 79km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga 2015-06-12 11:07:06 UTC, depth=41.0 km
M4.4, 67km NNE of Ndoi Island, Fiji 2015-06-12 04:47:59 UTC, depth=624.9 km
M4.3, 61km NE of Ndoi Island, Fiji 2015-06-12 03:37:51 UTC, depth=572.5 km
M5.0, 99km NE of `Ohonua, Tonga 2015-06-12 02:36:24 UTC, depth=10.0 km
M4.7, 21km NE of Hihifo, Tonga 2015-06-11 20:23:45 UTC, depth=37.5 km
Related Links
Posted in Earthquake news, earthquake report, significant events | Tagged: Apia, earthquake, FIRE-EARTH earthquake FORECAST, Hihifo, Pacific Ring of Fire, Samoa, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 20, 2015
Centered at 54.359°S, 132.158°W the quake occurred at a depth of 10.2 km (6.3 mi), USGS/EHP reported.
EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.7Mw
Location: 54.359°S, 132.158°W depth=10.2 km (6.3 mi)
Time: 2015-05-19 15:25:21 (UTC)
Other Significant Quakes
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: earthquake, Pacific Antarctic Ridge, Significant Earthquake, Tajikistan, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on April 17, 2015
Centered at 15.907°S, 178.585°W the quake struck at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 mi), USGS/EHP reported.
The event followed a magnitude 4.7Mw foreshock, that occurred about 5 hours earlier.
Tsunami Evaluation
NO threat of Pacific-wide, destructive tsunami by this event.
EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.5Mw
Location: 15.907°S, 178.585°W depth=10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Time: 2015-04-17 @ 15:52:51 (UTC)
Distances:
Related Links
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: earthquake, Fiji, Lambasa, Pacific Ring of Fire, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on March 30, 2015
EQ Details [USGS/EHP]
M6.5; 99km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga 2015-03-30 at 08:48:26 UTC, depth=15.5 km
[99km (62mi) ENE of Hihifo, Tonga; 224km (139mi) SW of Apia, Samoa]
M6.4; 109km NE of Hihifo, Tonga 2015-03-30 08:18:00 UTCd depth=11.5 km
[109km (68mi) NE of Hihifo, Tonga]
M5.6; 90km NE of Hihifo, Tonga 2015-03-30 07:56:54 UTCd depth=10.0 km
NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI SAID:
BASED ON ALL AVAILABLE DATA A DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS
NOT EXPECTED.
Other Significant Seismicity
M4.9; 88km S of Taron, Papua New Guinea 2015-03-30 11:43:21 UTC 35.0 km
M4.8; 69km SSE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-03-30 11:23:11 UTC 72.6 km
M5.5; 179km SSE of Amsterdam Island, France 2015-03-30 10:34:53 UTC 10.0 km
4.0; 12km NW of Ludlow, California 2015-03-30 09:21:56 UTC 2.5 km
M6.5 See above.
5.3; 42km SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 2015-03-30 08:31:47 UTC 35.0 km
M6.4 See above.
M5.6 See above.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Apia, earthquake, Hihifo, Pacific Ring of Fire, Samoa, Tonga, Tonga Trench | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on January 13, 2015
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.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Hunga Ha'apai-Hunga, NUKUALOFA, Tonga, Tonga volcano, volcanic eruption | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on July 22, 2014
Centered at 19.829°S, 178.464°W the quake struck at a depth of about 616.4km (383.0mi), about 375km (233mi) ESE of Suva, Fiji, according to USGS/EHP.
EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.9Mw
Event Time: 2014-07-21 14:54:41 UTC
Location: 19.829°S 178.464°W depth=616.4km (383.0mi)
Nearby Cities:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecasts
For detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts tune into UDCCpf daily @ 06:32UTC.
Posted in Earthquake Hazard, Earthquake Information, Earthquake news, earthquake report, significant events | Tagged: earthquake, earthquake 2014, Fiji, Lau Ridge, Nadi, Ndoi Island, SUVA, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on June 19, 2014
Centered at 13.577°S, 166.826°E, the quake struck at a depth of 59.9km (37.2mi), said USGS/EHP.
EQ Details
MAGNITUDE: 6.4Mw
Event Time: 2014-06-19 10:17:58 UTC
Location: 13.577°S 166.826°E depth=59.9km (37.2mi)
Nearby Cities
IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast
The next detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast will be released together with Bulletin NO. 108 on Friday, June 20, 2014.
Posted in earthquake forecast, Earthquake Hazard, Earthquake news, earthquake report, Earthquake Warning, significant events | Tagged: earthquake, Fiji, Macquarie Ridge, Samoa, Sola, Tonga, Vanuatu | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 5, 2014
The latest seismicity in and around the PRF include the following events.
Magnitude: 6.0
Event Time: 2014-05-04 @ 20:18:24 UTC
Location: 34.862°N 139.312°E depth=155.1km (96.4mi)
Nearby Cities:
Reported Impact: EQ shook buildings in Tokyo
Magnitude: 6.1
Event Time: 2014-05-04 09:25:14 UTC
Location: 25.798°S 178.208°E depth=610.6km (379.4mi)
Nearby Cities:
Magnitude: 6.6
Event Time
2014-05-04 09:15:53 UTC
Location: 24.642°S 179.084°E depth=527.6km (327.8mi)
Nearby Cities:
NO tsunami reported.
FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast
The next detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast will be released together with Bulletin NO. 95 on May 6, 2014.
Posted in Earthquake news, earthquake report, Global Disaster watch, significant events | Tagged: Bulletin NO. 94, earthquake, FIJI earthquake, japan earthquake, Kermadec trench, Lau Ridge, NIGHTMARE SCENARIO 08, PRF, South Fiji Basin, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 2, 2014
The latest seismicity in and around the PRF include the following events.
M 5.9 – (257km SE of Kamaishi, Japan)
Time: 2014-05-02 09:15:20 UTC
Location: 37.880°N 144.246°E
Depth: 14.6km
M 6.0 (70km SSE of Namlea, Indonesia)
Time: 2014-05-02 08:43:37 UTC
Location: 3.801°S, 127.435°E
Depth: 54.2km
EQ Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP
M 5.3 (139km W of Neiafu, Tonga)
Time: 2014-05-02 07:46:07 UTC
Location: 18.848°S, 175.293°W
Depth: 35.0km
M 5.3 (Palau region)
Time: 2014-05-01 15:21:14 UTC
Location: 6.542°N, 130.095°E
Depth: 9.6km
M 5.8 (81km WSW of Onan Ganjang, Indonesia)
Time: 2014-05-01 14:35:38 UTC
Location: 1.944°N, 97.932°E
Depth: 55.2km
Posted in Global Disaster watch | Tagged: earthquake, Earthquake location map, Indonesia, Japan, Palau, PRF, PRF Earthquake, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on April 26, 2014
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:
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.
Posted in Earthquake news, earthquake report, Global Disaster watch, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: Bulletin NO. 92, earthquake, FIRE-EARTH earthquake FORECAST, NUKUALOFA, Tonga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on January 14, 2014
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.
Posted in 2014 disaster calendar, Climate Change, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, Global Disasters 2014, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT, Ha'apai island group, Lifuka, NUKUALOFA, Satellite Image, Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN, Tonga, Tropical Cyclone 07P | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on January 12, 2014
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.
Posted in 2014 disaster calendar, 2014 disaster diary, Climate Change, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, Global Disasters 2014, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT, Ha'apai island group, Lifuka, NUKUALOFA, Satellite Image, Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN, Tonga, Tropical Cyclone 07P | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on January 11, 2014
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.
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).
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: Cyclone IAN, EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT, NUKUALOFA, Satellite Image, Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN, Tonga, Tropical Cyclone 07P, TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING, Vava'u | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on January 10, 2014
Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN (Tropical Cyclone 07P) was packing sustained winds of about 175 km/h at 02:00UTC on Friday, January 10, 2014, with wind gusts of about 215 km/h moving ESE at about 10 km/h.
IAN could strike Vava’u with destructive winds by as early as 03:00UTC on Saturday, January 11.
Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN. Water Vapor [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] Satellite Image. Recorded at 01:52UTC on Friday, January 10, 2014. Initial Image Sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.
Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN
Time: 02:00UTC Friday January 10, 2014
Position: Near 17.5ºS, 175.3ºW
Location: 655km East (84 degrees) of Suva, Fiji
Movement: ESE at 10 km/h
Max Sustained Winds: 175 km/h
Max wind Gusts: 225 km/h
Max Significant Wave Height: 8m
Source: Various Satellites
Note: Category 4 Cyclone has average sustained winds of 159km/h (86 kt) – 198km/h (107kt) and a central pressure of 945-910 hPa.
See also: FEWW New Hurricane Scale
Posted in Climate Change, Global Disaster watch, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: Satellite Image, Severe Tropical Cyclone IAN, Tonga, Tropical Cyclone 07P, Vava'u | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on February 17, 2010
Tongan capital of Nuku’Alofa was left battered, though it could have been much worse had RENE not weakened before the assault. There were no reported injury or fatality as of posting.
Tropical Cyclone RENE. Sat image JTWC/SATOP. Date/Time: 16 feb 2010 at 17:30UTC – Click image to enlarge.
Background:
Current Wind Distribution:
Wave Height and Location:
Additional Satellite Imagery
NOAA East Pacific Floater 1 GOES Satellite Imagery – Cyclone FIFTEEN (TC 15P)
See also: UW- CIMSS Cyclone Portal
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, Pacific Ocean, storm, storm rene, Tropical Cyclone RENE | Tagged: Cyclone RENE, Cyclone RENE Update 17 Feb, hurricane, Nuku’Alofa, RENE Update 7, RENE Update feb 17, South Pacific, TC 15P, Tonga, Tongatapu | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on February 14, 2010
Cyclone RENE could strike Hunga Island, the smaller islands to its SSW, and cause major damage to Tongatapu and Eua Islands.
An archipelago in the S. Pacific Ocean, Tonga is located south of Western Samoa. Its 176 islands (only 36 of them inhabited) are divided into three main groups: Vava’u, Ha’apai, and Tongatapu). The largest island, Tongatapu, covers about 258 sq. km (~ 100 sq. mi) and is home to the capital city of Nukuʻalofa.
The island of Niue must already be experiencing some of the peripheral forces of RENE, as it passes by.
Tropical Cyclone RENE – IR-WV Difference Satellite Image – Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Map of Tonga Island Groups. Source: USGovt. Click image to enlarge.
Background:
Current Wind Distribution:
Wave Height and Location:
Additional Satellite Imagery
NOAA East Pacific Floater 1 GOES Satellite Imagery – Cyclone FIFTEEN (TC 15P)
See also: UW- CIMSS Cyclone Portal
Related Links:
Posted in Cyclone RENE, Cyclone RENE Update 4, RENE Update feb 14, South Pacific, TC 15P | Tagged: and Tongatapu, cyclone, Eua Island, Ha'apai, Hunga Island, hurricane, Nukuʻalofa, Pacific Ocean, storm, Tonga, Tongatapu, tropical cyclone, Vava'u | 3 Comments »
Posted by feww on March 22, 2009
Groups of people who have traveled to the volcanic site described frequent explosions that ejected rocks and ash and spewed smoke hundreds of meters into the air, AFP reported.
Ash rises several hundred meters into the air from Hunga Ha’apai, 62km north-northwest of the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa. [Undated photo, possibly taken on Mar 20 or 21, 2009.] Photograph: AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.
The volcano, which is located on the small islet of Hunga Ha’apai, about 62km km north- northwest of the Tongan capital Island of Nuku’alofa, began erupting on March 16, 2009, and continued to ash, volcanic gasses and rocks into the air.
A journalist visiting the Island said: “The island itself is totally destroyed … there is no living thing left there, it’s all covered in black ash.”
“There are only black stumps where the coconut trees were,” he added. “We saw dead birds and fish in the water.”
According to Tonga’s chief geologist, Kelepi Mafi, who reportedly inspected the area on Thursday, the volcanic debris ejected from the volcano filled the 100 m gap between the offshore vent and the main vent on Hunga Ha’apai, adding hundreds of square meters to the islet’s land mass.
Mafi reiterated that the government has warned sightseers to stay away from the area, which is very dangerous.
“It’s very interesting, but it’s very risky also,” he said, adding that he expected the eruption to continue for another couple of days.
However, given the renewed seismic activity in the area, and other factors not discussed here, FEWW believes one or more of the following scenarios may likely occur:
1. Eruption could continue for many days (up to several weeks).
2. Hunga Ha’apai’s activity could become sporadic, with extended ‘off’ and ‘on’ periods, lasting for several months (up to a year or so).
3. One or more of volcanoes in the region’s volcanic cluster could erupt.
Related Links:
An earthquake forecast for California will be published here by Tuesday March 24, 2009.
Posted in Metis Shoal, NUKUALOFA, Rumble III, seismic activity, volcanism | Tagged: earthquake, Hunga Ha’apai Volcano, submarine volcanoes, Tonga, volcano cluster | 2 Comments »
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