2009 Tonga undersea volcanic eruption

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Coordinates: 20°34′S 175°23′W / 20.57°S 175.38°W / -20.57; -175.38
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2009 Tonga undersea volcanic eruption
Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai
Start date16 March 2009[1][a]
End date22 March 2009[1]
TypeSubmarine, Surtseyan
LocationTonga
20°34′S 175°23′W / 20.57°S 175.38°W / -20.57; -175.38
VEI2 [1]

The 2009 Tonga undersea volcanic eruption began on 16 March 2009,

undersea volcanoes clustered together in the area.[7]

Eruption history

The initial 16–17 March

eruption created an ejecta column (tephra) which sent ash and smoke up to 20 kilometres (12 mi) into the atmosphere and an initial inspection reported that the volcano had breached the ocean surface.[8][9] 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.[10]

Between 18–20 March, a number of

Hunga Haʻapai and another about 100 m (330 ft) offshore, had filled the gap between the two vents, creating new land surface that measured hundreds of square metres.[12][13] The eruption devastated Hunga Haʻapai, covering it in black ash and stripping it of vegetation and fauna.[13]

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.[14]

Tongan officials also expressed concern that the eruption could significantly harm the country's fishing industry.[15]

2009 Tonga earthquake

Four days after the start of the eruption a strong

volcanic eruption, stating that the "strength of the earthquake could crack the volcano's (undersea) vent and allow more magma to be ejected".[8]

See also
  • 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami
  • Tonga Trench – deepest trench in the Southern hemisphere where the Pacific Plate is being subducted westward

Notes

  1. ^ The date the eruption began is uncertain. According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism program, "Observers flying near the area of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai (about 62 km NNW of Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga) on 16 or 17 March reported seeing an eruption."[2] The report cites Keizo Gates' web log, dated 16 March 2009, which contains photos allegedly taken from civilian aircraft late on the afternoon of March 16.[3] The Smithsonian subsequently confirmed that the eruption began on 16 March.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai: Eruptive History". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  2. USGS. Archived from the original
    on 13 April 2009.
  3. ^ Gates, Keizo (16 March 2009). "New Tonga eruption". Kzo.net. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016.
  4. USGS. Archived from the original
    on 2 March 2021.
  5. ^ The date the eruption began was initially uncertain. According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism program, "Observers flying near the area of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai (about 62 km NNW of Nukuʻalofa, the capital of Tonga) on 16 or 17 March reported seeing an eruption." See: SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report. 11 March-17 March 2009. Archived 13 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine 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: Gates, Keizo. "New Tonga Eruption" Kzo.net. March 16, 2009. Archived 22 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Smithsonian subsequently confirmed that the eruption began on 16 March. See: SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report. 18 March-24 March 2009. Archived 25 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b "Major quake strikes off Tonga". CNN. 19 March 2008. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  7. ^ "Undersea Volcano Erupts Off Tonga Coast". Fox News. 18 March 2009. Archived from the original on 6 August 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  8. ^ a b "Strong quake near Tonga prompts tsunami warning". Yahoo! News. 20 March 2009. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  9. ^ Barrowclough, Anne (20 March 2009). "Underwater volcano sends huge columns of ash into Pacific sky". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  10. ^ "Tongan inspection team heads to undersea volcano". Yahoo! News. 19 March 2009. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  11. ^ a b c "SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report. 18 March-24 March 2009". Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  12. ^ Percival, Jenny. "Underwater Volcano Creates New Island Off Tonga." Archived 8 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian. 21 March 2009.
  13. ^ a b "'No Living Thing Left' As Tonga Volcano Erupts." Archived 6 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Agence France-Presse. 20 March 2009.
  14. ^ "Night Flights Postponed As Volcanic Activity Continues." Matangi Tonga. March 23, 2009 Archived 27 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine; "Flights Back to Normal But Tongan Volcanoes Still Erupting." Radio New Zealand International. March 24, 2009. Archived 4 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Tonga Examines Volcano's Fishing Impact." Radio Australia News. March 23, 2009. Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine

External links

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