Results for Environment

Thirty-five (35) earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 or more were recorded across Tonga in January, but none of them were “felt”, reports the latest Tonga Geological Services Seismic Bulletin released today.

An important mangrove area at the mouth of Tongatapu’s Fanga'uta Lagoon that was destroyed in 2017 to make way for a golf course project in Popua, is slowly being restored by the Department of Environment. “It’s a huge job to restore this area,” said team leader, Hoifua Aholahi, who urges the public not to destroy the nurseries at the site.

A new Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Emergency Operation Centre was officially opened in Pangai, Ha’apai on 13 November. The centre aims to strengthen early warning and preparedness for any approaching hazard.

The Hihifo Youth Council took part in a National Climate Change Awareness Week, where they picked up rubbish along the coastline of Tongatapu's western district where Tropical Cyclone Harold has left extensive damage and rubbish.

Only two out of 33 earthquakes that occurred in Tonga during the month of August were felt, according to the new Tonga Geological Services Seismic Bulletin of 4 September. The number of earthquakes was not unusual for Tonga, which is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

A new seawall at the low-lying areas of Kolovai and ‘Ahau on western Tongatapu was commissioned on June 26, as part of a development to withstand storm surges and protect communities.

Tonga's national treasure the Fanga’uta Lagoon Catchment, home to 64 per cent of the population of Tongatapu, is seriously polluted and remains unhealthy because of long-term mismanagement, neglect and blatant disregard of laws that were designed to protect it. Although a healthy lagoon is able to clean itself, Fanga‘uta Lagoon is receiving levels of pollutants that far exceed what it can assimilate.

Three important multi-million pa'anga Climate Resilience Sector Projects were commissioned on November 18, at vulnerable low-lying areas on the Eastern District (Hahake) of Tongatapu.

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.