Results for volcanic eruption

Tonga's midnight curfew has been eased by to start at 1:00am to 5:00am, as weekly flights to Tonga have increased, since the gradual re-opening of Tonga’s international border on 1 August. Two national State of Emergencies have also been renewed.

Vulnerable families in Tonga have received emergency multi-purpose cash hand-outs from the International Organisation for Migration, following the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunamis in January.

The disaster stricken island of Nomuka on March 5 received a visit from the Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku, who was flown to the island on a Australian Defence Force Chinook helicopter with Australia's High Commissioner, HE Rachael Moore.

Earlier this month, an underwater volcanic eruption near the Pacific Island nation of Tonga unleashed a sonic boom heard thousands of miles away, The explosion generated was really massive. The pressure wave from this has been recorded all around the world. The devastating wave and toxic ash from the eruption will have long-term impacts on life for residents of Tonga. By Ed Fletcher.

A national tsunami marine warning issued at 11:12am today, Fri. January 14, warns Tongans to stay away from coastal areas, after swirling abnormal tides drew crowds to the Nuku'alofa waterfront in the last hour. Tonga Geological Services stated that a volcanic eruption is forecasted to be imminent with significant emission of ash into the atmosphere likely, following new activity observed at the Hunga volcano 65km off Nuku'alofa this morning. Tonga Police are currently patrolling the seafront Vuna Road in the capital and using loud speakers to ask people to move away to higher ground.

Air New Zealand cancelled its flight from Auckland to Tonga late this morning due to concern over volcanic ash clouds close to Tongatapu, following a high level ash eruption at Hunga Tonga- Hunga Ha'apai detected over the last two days. Tonga's head geologist Taaniela Kula, confirmed this afternoon that an ash eruption started at about 9:35am yesterday, Monday, 20 Dec. and continued to 2:00am today, from Hunga Ha'apai, located about 65km from Nuku'alofa. A gaseous eruption is continuing intermittently.

Tongan geologist Taaniela Kula said this evening that a Late Iki Island (also known as Metis Shoal) eruption over the last two days was emitting only steam, heat and gas into the atmosphere. While there may be a hazard within 4-5 kilometers radius of the vent, another hazard may be volcanic fog that can form downwind from the island causing inconvenience in civil aviation and maritime operations.

Continuous eruptions are creating a new island between Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai, 65 km from Nuku'alofa, Tonga's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources reports. “The eruption of ash and tephra continues, but in recent days the ash has been limited to low elevations,” their fourth advisory stated on January 15.

Grey ash “falling like rain” from the large ash volcanic eruptions that are continuing in the area of Hunga Ha'apai- Hunga Tonga, can be seen from the Tongatapu coastline. Photos by Shane Egan.