Soil samples show impact of tsunami salinity at Kanokupolu

Soil samples taken after the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunamis showed that seawater had directly impacted soil salinity and crop growth in the Kanokupolu area on western Tongatapu and by September 2022 the salt had moved down to the subsoil. Local soil scientist, Dr. Halavatau told researchers that the impact on the soil remained a concern due to the salt changing its structural stability.