Kingdom of Tonga, 15 January 2022 Eruption and Tsunami

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai is the name of the volcano that formed an island in the Kingdom of Tonga in 2015. The large undersea volcano eruption in December 2014 sent ash and steam high into the sky and this was the same volcano which violently erupted a month ago on Saturday, 15 January 2022.

Since that time when the island was formed, 7 years ago, scientist including Nasa staff using satellite images and data of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano, is located about 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) southeast of Tonga's Fonuafo'ou island and had been actively erupting since 20 Dec 2022. There are many articles and images on the internet from the scientific research. Last month the volcano eruption has once again gathered experts and scientist to analyse the latest events and the effect across the world after the January eruption.

Why the Tongan eruption will go down in the history of volcanology (nature.com)

Most of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai lies under water. It rises more than 2,000 metres from the sea floor and is part of the Tonga–Kermadec volcanic arc. This string of mostly underwater volcanoes sits above a massive geological collision zone, where the western edge of the Pacific plate of Earth’s crust dives beneath the Indo–Australian plate. The edge of the Pacific plate heats up as it sinks into the planet’s depths, and molten rock rises to feed the volcanoes of the Tonga–Kermadec arc.

The devastating January 2022 eruptions first erupted on Friday 14^th January and a second time on Saturday 15^th January around 5:26 p.m. local time. The eruption was heard on Norfolk Island as sonic booms shockwaves, caused by the atmospheric pressure, blasted round the Pacific and all around the world with reports from the UK and Europe as well.

Devastation in Tongan islands was massive as the eruption generated earthquakes and large 15 metre tsunami waves, which washed away buildings, beach resorts as it swept through the islands, terrifying the communities many escaping to higher ground if they could or holding on to trees and helping loved ones with the terror of being washed about and killed. During the past month I have read articles of personal stories of survival and the faith the community shared when praying for loved ones to be safe. If you are interested in following stories from Tonga and other Pacific Islands, follow this link on Facebook. (3) The Pacific Newsroom | Facebook

The tsunami resulted in extensive damage in nearby islands, as well as reports from New Zealand, Chile, Peru and California. Norfolk Island was on tsunami land and marine alerts and the warnings advised to stay away for the coastal zone and out of the water. There were rapid tidal changes on Norfolk Island and fortunately no damage reported.

Sadly, in the days that followed, there were three deaths reported in Tonga, as well as two women in Peru and thoughts go to family and communities who lost loved ones during January eruption and tsunami.

The volcanic ash from the eruption has impacted on Tongan communities with water supply contaminated, buildings and crops covered with ash and putting food and basic supplies urgently required for the thousands effected. The airport was closed as it was buried in a thick layer of ash. The air quality was also affected, and masks were needed until the ash settled and while cleaning up after the eruption.

The Tongan communications systems were severed as the underwater cables were damaged and, in the weeks, since the eruption experts and specialist ships have been in the area to access the damage and the repairs to reconnect to the main island of Tongatapu are planned to be completed this week on 22 February. Emergency satellite communications systems have been installed and it was a relief to families across the world to have contact again with family and friends. Elton Musk has also announced that he would be donating 50 satellite terminals to Tonga after to help the islands communication issues.

Most importantly was the communication for aid support and many countries including New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, and other neighbouring islands have or offered support.

Australia and New Zealand also sent surveillance planes to access the damage to the region and the Tongan islands. Aid also included water supply systems, and the New Zealand Navy ship had a water desalination system for sea water unit and distribute the water on trucks to the Tongan communities and transported on boats to the effected islands. Care was taken with the risk of Covid-1, sadly, I have learnt that Covid has now spread to the Tongan community and as 17 February there have been 195 cases, and the majority of the community have now been vaccinated with 98% first shot and 90% second shot. See the link for details. 195 active COVID-19 cases in Tonga | Matangitonga

Norfolk Island community have also helped with fundraising for the Tongan communities with the Norfolk Island Lions group raising almost $6000 a few weeks ago, plus another group collected donations of blankets, towels, linen, and clothing as well as non-perishable food to send to Tonga. Thank you to all who have assisted and donated and helped.

One month on, there are news items updating aid help for Tonga, garden tools, boats, building materials along with water and food. I have read over 200 fishing boats have been damaged, and approximately 35 tourist resorts and businesses were destroyed or badly damaged. The impact on the Tongan community will take a long time to recover and covid-19 is also restricting the clean-up and the tourism, a drastic situation for the Kingdom of Tonga.

The scientist continues to monitor and study the volcano. The volcanic ash flow around the world is interesting, it was at least 30 kilometre high in the atmosphere or stratosphere and the colourful sunsets have been thought to be connected to the Tongan eruption ash, and since the recent weather events on Norfolk Island, locals have also been enjoying pretty sunsets and sunrises.

Our thoughts are with the communities on Tonga as they rebuild their homes and recover from this terrible event that hit the Kingdom of Tonga on 15^th January 2022.

Feb 2022

Betty Matthews