Results for Natural events

A geological survey of the volcanic activity between Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai over the weekend found that while ash eruptions are continuing, the activity appears to be less than in previous days and a lot less than in previous weeks.

Nature played with the sea and the sky over Tonga this week as an algae bloom turned the seas frothy white, chocolate and red, while the sun shone through a champagne sky - captured on camera at Kanokupolu Beach this morning.

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.

A continuing eruption from Tonga's active undersea volcano, Hunga Ha'apai, was clearly visible on the horizon northwest of Tongatapu today. Photos by Shane Egan

Tonga's Meteorology Department is warning that current weather conditions indicate that Tonga could suffer a tropical cyclone this summer.

The Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, Tony Abbott and John Key, have been slammed for deciding not to attend the UN climate summit in New York tomorrow September 23.

A 6.4 magnitude underwater earthquake struck 197 kilometres northwest of Niuatoputapu early Monday morning at 3:52 AM, triggering a tsunami warning that was later cancelled.

A major earthquake that struck off the coast of northern Chile this afternoon has generated a significant tsunami for Chile, with tsunami warnings issued for the Pacific coasts of South America, including Easter Island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii has now determined that no tsunami threat exists for other coastal areas although some may experience small sea level changes. For all areas covered by this center the tsunami warning and watch are now cancelled (6:00pm Tonga time).

Tropical Cyclone Kofi brought heavy rain and gusts of up to 48 knots (90kmph) to Tongatapu early this morning as the system moved to the southwest of Tonga. The Fua‘amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre has downgraded the cyclone warning this morning, while a gales warning remains in force for Tonga waters, with an extreme high tide advisory continuing for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.