2009 Tonga undersea volcanic eruption

Eruption history

The initial 16–17 March eruption created an ejecta column (tephra) which sent ash and smoke up to 20 km into the atmosphere and an initial inspection reported that the volcano had breached the ocean surface. Authorities suggested at that time that the eruption did not yet pose any threat to the capital's population, and an inspection team was sent out to evaluate the volcano.

Between 18 and 20 March, a number of Surtseyan eruptions sent ash plumes as high as 4 km to 5.2 km into the atmosphere, with prevailing winds pushing the ash cloud about 480 km east-northeast of the eruption site and widespread and significant haze reported at Vavau 255 km away. Steam plumes on 20 March were measured at 1.8 km above sea level. But on 21 March, an eruption sent steam and ash just 0.8 km into the sky. On 21 March, Tonga's chief geologist Kelepi Mafi reported lava and ash from two vents, one on the uninhabited island Hunga Haapai and another about 100 m offshore, had filled the gap between the two vents, creating new land surface that measured hundreds of square metres. The eruption devastated Hunga Haapai, covering it in black ash and stripping it of vegetation and fauna.

Disruptions

Two Air New Zealand airline flights into Tonga were delayed due to safety concerns caused by the volcanic ash, but flight schedules returned to normal shortly thereafter.

Tongan officials also expressed concern that the eruption could significantly harm the country's fishing industry.

2009 Tonga earthquake

Four days after the start of the eruption a strong earthquake measuring 7.6 also struck the region. Ken Hudnut, a geophysicist for the United States Geological Survey, stated that "The association with the volcanic activity seems to be an interesting added dimension to this. It's not clear at this point that there is a direct association, but it seems suggestive at this point.".

Notes

References

References

1. "Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai: Eruptive History".
2. "SI/USGS ''Weekly Volcanic Activity Report'' 11–17 March 2009". [[Smithsonian Institution]] / [[USGS]].
3. Gates, Keizo. (16 March 2009). "New Tonga eruption".
4. "SI/USGS ''Weekly Volcanic Activity Report'' 18–24 March 2009". [[Smithsonian Institution]] / [[USGS]].
5. link. (13 April 2009 The report cites Keizo Gates' Web log, dated 16 March 2009, which contains photos allegedly taken from civilian aircraft late on the afternoon of 16 March. See: [http://kzo.net/log/new-tonga-eruption Gates, Keizo. "New Tonga Eruption" Kzo.net. March 16, 2009.] {{Webarchive). link. (22 April 2016 The Smithsonian subsequently confirmed that the eruption began on 16 March. See: [http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/index.cfm?wvarweek=20090318 ''SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.'' 18 March-24 March 2009.] {{Webarchive). link. (25 April 2009)
6. (19 March 2008). "Major quake strikes off Tonga". CNN.
7. (18 March 2009). "Undersea Volcano Erupts Off Tonga Coast". [[Fox News]].
8. Barrowclough, Anne. (20 March 2009). "Underwater volcano sends huge columns of ash into Pacific sky". [[The Times]].
9. (19 March 2009). "Tongan inspection team heads to undersea volcano". [[Yahoo News]].
10. "''SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.'' 18 March-24 March 2009.".
11. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/21/tonga-volcano-island-nuku-alofa Percival, Jenny. "Underwater Volcano Creates New Island Off Tonga."] {{Webarchive. link. (8 December 2016 ''[[The Guardian]].'' 21 March 2009.)
12. [https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j6VD1Pdx9mNNXjovtdfyKtB2WXVQ "'No Living Thing Left' As Tonga Volcano Erupts."] {{Webarchive. link. (6 July 2012 ''[[Agence France-Presse]].'' 20 March 2009.)
13. [http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/tourism.travel/tonga_flights_eruption_230309.shtml "Night Flights Postponed As Volcanic Activity Continues." ''Matangi Tonga.'' March 23, 2009] {{webarchive. link. (27 May 2011 ; [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=45514 "Flights Back to Normal But Tongan Volcanoes Still Erupting." ''Radio New Zealand International.'' March 24, 2009.] {{Webarchive). link. (4 April 2012)
14. {{usurped
15. (20 March 2009). "Strong quake near Tonga prompts tsunami warning". [[Yahoo News]].