Minister for Lands visits Geoscience Australia [1]
Thursday, December 8, 2022 - 09:35. Updated on Thursday, December 8, 2022 - 14:14.
On a visit to Australia this week, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Lord Tu'i'afitu visited Geoscience Australia and extended Tonga's gratitude to staff, who responded to the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption on 15 January.
On 5 December, Lord Tu’i’afitu said that the Australian Government had provided a great amount of financial and humanitarian aid to support the relief, and recovery and reconstruction processes for those affected. “The expert technical advice, satellite derived information and analysis from Geoscience Australia not only helped Tonga better understand these disasters but more importantly, develop a plan for future disasters of similar nature."
“Tonga needs to employ and improve its accessibility to utilisation of and its capabilities in space and satellite technologies to safeguard its security and guarantee safety for all…the ministry is looking at Geoscience Australia, a long-time partner for support,” he said.
Geoscience ties
In welcoming the Tongan minister, Geoscience Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dr James Johnson said they have a very positive relationship with the Government of Tonga.
"Our seismic monitoring kits were on the ground in Tonga within weeks of the eruption and we immediately started working with the Government of Tonga, DFAT, and the Bureau of Meteorology to re-establish this vital scientific monitoring capability.
Tonga's natural hazards
Geoscience Australia’s Branch Head of Community Safety, Dr John Dawson said Tonga had many potential natural hazards.
“Volcanoes, earthquakes, cyclones, possible tsunamis - this is why they need good data. You can’t make a plan if you don’t know what you’re dealing with and it’s not just about monitoring the hazards. It’s really important to understand the environment and landscape, and how they change over time.”
Dr Dawson said Geoscience Australia and the Government of Tonga had a shared interest in improving the monitoring and understanding of geohazards, the January Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption generated a tsunami that reached Australia.
“The meeting has improved the Government of Tonga and Geoscience Australia’s understanding of each other’s capabilities and how we may potentially be able to help each other in the future."
He said the seismic monitoring is just one type of data that can help inform disaster risk reduction. Precise satellite positioning reference stations can track changes in the land, which helps produce accurate records of changes in absolute and relative sea level.
“This data is particularly helpful when analysing the effects of seismic activity, including the recent volcanic eruption, and in developing plans for managing the impact of hazards in the Pacific.”
Geoscience Australia’s experts also briefed the Minister on the potential benefits to be gained from Earth observation data. This can allow a detailed understanding of how lands, waters, coasts and environments have changed over time, what changes might occur in the future, and how best to respond.
“If the Tongan authorities have well informed plans and authoritative data, this can be shared with other Pacific nations including Australia, so that we can all be better-prepared,” Dr Dawson said.
The Minister also visited the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra and will visit the Department of Resources in Queensland, on Friday 9 December.
He is accompanied by his wife Lady Tu’i’afitu, Deputy CEO of the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources, Viliami Folau, with Tasimani Telefoni from Tonga's High Commission office in Canberra.