Today's eruption of the Hunga volcano, continuous for over 12 hours, reached 20km above sea level - the largest in a series of eruptions since December. Tsunami waves of up to 30cm were still being recorded at 6:00pm on the Nuku'alofa tidal gauge.
A team from the Tonga Geological Services led by geologist Taaniela Kula, went out to the vicinity of the Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha'apai volcano this afternoon on a navy vessel.
At 6:00pm TGS reported that the, “Volcanic eruption of the ash/steam/gas plume has been continuous since 4:20am this morning. This plume of ash, steam and gas has erupted at 5km - 20km above sea level and dispersed over Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha‘apai group.”
The eruption has lasted for over 12 hours, and the height of the eruption was determined from data obtained from satellite imagery from HIMAWARI 8 AHI at 2:10pm and 5:10pm Tonga local time today. (See Figures 1 and 2 below).
Rennie Vaiomo‘unga at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources heads the base team at TGS, and the team said they are monitoring the volcano overnight.
“We are going to monitor the volcano tonight and for 24 hours. We will continue with shifts until it's confirmed that the volcano has died down,” the TGS base team said this evening.
Fluctuating sea level
Meanwhile, continuing and fluctuating tsunami waves have been recorded on the coast of Tongatapu throughout the day.
“This fluctuation of the sea level is expected to continue for the next 6 to 12 hours,” the national Tsunami Warning Centre warned at 6:22pm today.
Therefore, the tsunami marine warning remains in force for the ‘otu Mu‘omu‘a in Ha‘apai (Nomuka, Mango, Fonoifua), ‘Atataa, ‘Eueiki, Tongatapu and ‘Eua coastal areas and waters.
“The highest tsunami wave recorded in the past three hours in Nuku’alofa tide gauge was at 6pm this evening of about 30cm (1 feet).
The Tsunami Warning Centre advised the public to keep away from low lying coastal areas, beaches and harbour areas. “Public are also advised to avoid swimming and any related activities out at until this warning is cancelled. Mariners out at sea are advised to move to deep water.”
Tonga Police are continuing patrols along the Nuku'alofa seafront to keep the coastal area clear of sightseers.
However, the tsunami marine warning previously in force for the Niuas, Vava‘u, Kauvai Ha’ano, Pangai Lifuka and Ha’apai Lulunga coastal areas and waters are now cancelled
“Based on observation reports and the tide gauge report from these island groups, the fluctuation of the sea level are no longer observed in these coastal waters and returns to normal.”
The latest update from Tonga Geological Services Volcano Monitoring Team at 6:30pm:
FAKATOKANGA
Ko e Fakatokanga ki he kakai ‘o e fonua mei he Va’a Ngāue Vakai Mo’ungaafi Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai ‘oku tuku atu he taimi 6:30 efiafi ni, ‘aho 14/½022.
Ko e vakai mei he ngaahi ‘ata satelaite talu mei he taimi 04:20 AM ki he 6:30 ‘o e efiafi ni ‘aho 14/0½022, na’e anga pehe ni.
‘Oku hokohoko atu pe ‘a e mapuna ‘a e mo’ungaafi talu mei ‘aneuhu, ‘o a’u ki he ma’olunga ko e 18km-20km ‘a e efu/mao mo e kasa mo’ungaafi mei he fukahitahi. ‘Oku mafola ‘i he ‘ataa ‘i he mama’o ko e 240km mei Hunga ‘o ne kapui ‘a e ‘otu motu Tongatapu, ‘Eua pea mo Ha’apai pea ‘oku kei hokohoko atu pe ‘ene mapuna (vakai ki he Fakatata 1).
Ko e efu mo’ungaafi ‘e ‘ikai fakatokanga’i ‘i he ‘ea, ka ‘oku faka’ilonga’aki ‘a e lalave ‘i he fofonga (kano’imata) pe tanaki’anga efu lanu fakapopo’uli ‘i ha tanaki’anga.
Fakatokaga ke nofo fale, pea ke malu’i ho’omou ngaahi tanaki’anga vai.
Kataki ‘o fetu’utaki ki he ngaahi ma’u mafai fakakolo pe fika 7401331 ‘o kapau ‘e hoko ha me’a ‘oku ‘ikai anga maheni.
Ko e Fakatokanga hoko e tuku atu ia ‘o ka ‘i ai ha to e liliu .
