Latest news with #TongaBroadcastingCommission
Scoop
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Russia Earthquake Further Upgraded To Magnitude 8.8, Tsunami Threat For Parts Of The Pacific
Tonga's Meteorological Services has issued a tsunami alert for the kingdom following the powerful 8.8 quake which occurred 133km south east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, off Russia. It said the estimated time of arrival of the initial tsunami wave to Tonga's coastline is about 9.25pm local time. The service said actual arrival times may differ and the initial wave may not be the largest. It said the public who are in the tsunami threat area are advised to prepare to evacuate. In the capital, Nuku'alofa, schools in the area close to the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) building have been evacuated to the top floor of the building. The Commission building is one of the evacuation centres in Tonga. Local media reports say there are now queues of people waiting to get into evacuation centres. Mariners out at sea are advised to prepare move to deeper water. Tonga's National emergency operation centre has been activated and remains on standby. Cook Islands The Cook Islands Meteorological Service has issued a tsunami advisory following the quake. It said there is no immediate tsunami threat to the Cook Islands. The service said the situation is being monitored, and people are advised to be on standby and ready to move to higher ground or inland incase a tsunami warning follows. The next bulletin on this system will be issued in the next hour. Fiji A tsunami watch has been issued in Fiji for all low-lying coastal areas where strong currents are predicted. The Mineral Resources departments seismology section urged Fijians to remain vigilant and stay informed. An advisory says coastal areas could experience strong, unusual currents and unpredictable surges. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami watch for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The Center says the potential tsunami impact is still being evaluated (as of 11:35am NZT). It says if a threat exists, the earliest arrival for Guam, Rota, Saipan or Tinian would be 2.37pm Chamorro Standard Time (5:37pm NZT). It says a threat to American Samoa from this earthquake is still under investigation. The US Geological Survey said hazardous tsunami waves were possible within next three hours along some coasts of Russia and Japan. The Tsunami Warning centres says tsunami waves reaching more than three metres about the tide level are possible along some coasts: Nothern Western Hawai'i islands Russia The tsuami waves reaching one to three meters above the tide level are possible along some coasts of Chile, Hawaii, Japan and Nothern Hawaiian islands, and Solomon Islands. An evacuation has been ordered along the coast of Oahu in Hawai'i, including parts of Honolulu following the massive earthquake. Officials say the first of a series of destructive tsunami waves is expected at 7:17pm local Hawai'i time (Hawai'i time or 5:17pm today NZT). The US Tsunami Warning Center says the danger may continue for many hours after the initial wave, and that wave heights cannot be predicted. It says tsunami waves reaching 0.3 to one metre above the tide level are possible for some coasts of: American Samoa Chuuk Cook Islands Fiji French Polynesia Kiribati Nauru New Caledonia New Zealand Niue Papua New Guinea Pitcairn islands Samoa Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Wallis and futuna For Hawai'i A tsunami warning has been issued for the state of Hawai'i effective at 2:43pm local time. It says a tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in Hawai'i. Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property. The estimated arrival time in Hawaii of the first tsunami wave is 7:17pm local time 29 July (5:17pm NZT, 30 July) Other warnings The Tsuami Warning Centre says based on all available data there is a threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. It says sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents that could be a hazard along beaches in harbors and in coastal waters. It says the earliest estimated time that hazardous sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents may begin in Guam, Rota, Tiniana and Saipan is 2:37pm local time (5:27pm NZT). It says recommended actions include: Persons in the ocean should get out of the water. Persons near the ocean should move away from beaches and harbors. Follow instructions as they are given by government agencies. Hawai'i evacuation An evacuation has been ordered along the coast of Oahu in Hawai'i, including parts of Honolulu. Officials say the first of a series of destructive tsunami waves is expected at 7:17pm local time. The US Tsunami Warning Centre says the danger may continue for many hours after the initial wave, and that wave heights cannot be predicted. Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says waves reaching one to three metres above tide level are possible along some coasts of Guam, Johnston Atoll, and the Northern Marianas. Waves reaching 0.3 to one metre above the tide level are possible for some coasts of Chuuk, Kosrae, Marshall Islands, Palau, Pohnpei and Yap.
Washington Post
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
A 7.0 earthquake causes slight damage in Tonga and brief tsunami evacuations
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga early Monday morning, causing slight damage and brief evacuations before the threat of a tsunami hitting the Pacific island country passed. Tsunami sirens could be heard after the 1:18 a.m. quake urging residents to move inland in a live video streamed by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. People in the capital, Nuku'alofa, were seen moving inland or to higher ground before officials gave the all-clear for residents to return home. Tongans posting on social media reported being able to place calls to most islands in the archipelago. Taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua posted to Facebook that items fell from shelves and tables and pictures fell from the walls during the shaking. 'Was hard to stand up,' he wrote. 'Never felt an earthquake go for that long.' The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles) and was centered about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the main island. Hours later, a second 6.1 magnitude quake hit in the same area. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a notice after the first quake saying hazardous waves were possible but the threat passed with only minor sea changes detected. A warning was also cancelled hours later by the country's disaster management office. There were no reported casualties or structural damage, said Mafua Maka, the agency's director, speaking to Radio New Zealand a few hours after the quake. Further assessment would be made in daylight, local news outlets said. Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with just over 100,000 people, most of whom live on the main island of Tongatapu. It is 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) northeast of New Zealand and situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic region of earthquakes and volcanoes. A tsunami set off by a volcanic eruption in 2022 killed three people.
Asharq Al-Awsat
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
7.0 Quake Causes Slight Damage in Tonga and Brief Tsunami Evacuations
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga early Monday morning, causing slight damage and brief evacuations before the threat of a tsunami hitting the Pacific island country passed. Tsunami sirens could be heard after the 1:18 a.m. quake urging residents to move inland in a live video streamed by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. People in the capital, Nuku'alofa, were seen moving inland or to higher ground before officials gave the all-clear for residents to return home. Tongans posting on social media reported being able to place calls to most islands in the archipelago. Taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua posted to Facebook that items fell from shelves and tables and pictures fell from the walls during the shaking, The Associated Press reported. 'Was hard to stand up,' he wrote. 'Never felt an earthquake go for that long.' The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles) and was centered about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the main island. Hours later, a second 6.1 magnitude quake hit in the same area. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a notice after the first quake saying hazardous waves were possible but the threat passed with only minor sea changes detected. A warning was also cancelled hours later by the country's disaster management office. There were no reported casualties or structural damage, said Mafua Maka, the agency's director, speaking to Radio New Zealand a few hours after the quake. Further assessment would be made in daylight, local news outlets said. Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with just over 100,000 people, most of whom live on the main island of Tongatapu. It is 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) northeast of New Zealand and situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic region of earthquakes and volcanoes.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tsunami warning lifted after 7.1 earthquake rocks Tonga
A tsunami warning has been lifted for Tonga after a strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the Pacific Island country. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of potential hazardous waves, but the threat was later lifted, allowing people to return home. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake's depth at 18 miles (29 kilometres). Its epicentre was approximately 62 miles (100 kilometres) northeast of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu. A second, 6.1 magnitude tremor followed in the same area hours later. Tonga Broadcasting Commission's live stream captured the sound of tsunami sirens urging residents to move inland after the initial 1am quake. Footage showed people in the capital, Nuku'alofa, evacuating to higher ground before officials declared the all-clear. The country's disaster management office also cancelled its tsunami warning. There were no initial reports of casualties, TBC said, and Tongans posting on social media reported being able to place calls with most of the inhabited island chains that make up the country. It was too soon to know the extent of any damage, which would be assessed in daylight, the broadcaster added, but none was immediately reported. Tongan taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua posted to Facebook that items fell from shelves and tables and pictures fell from the walls during the shaking. 'Was hard to stand up,' he wrote. 'Never felt an earthquake go for that long.' Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with a population of just over 100,000 people, most of whom live on the main island of Tongatapu. It is 1,100 miles (1,800 km) north-east of New Zealand and situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic region of earthquakes and volcanoes. The low-lying island nation was devastated by a tsunami in 2022 that was prompted by a volcanic eruption. Three people were killed.
The Independent
31-03-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Tsunami warning lifted after 7.1 earthquake hits near Tonga in the South Pacific
A strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted for the Pacific island country. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles) and was centered about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the main island in the early morning hours of Monday local time. Hours later, a second 6.1 magnitude quake hit in the same area. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued an alert following the first quake saying hazardous waves could be possible but later said there was no longer a tsunami threat. A warning was also cancelled hours later by the country's disaster management office. Tsunami sirens could be heard after the 1:18 a.m. quake urging residents to move inland in a live video streamed by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. People in the capital, Nuku'alofa, were seen moving inland or to higher ground before officials gave the all-clear for residents to return home. There were no initial reports of casualties, TBC said, and Tongans posting on social media reported being able to place calls with most of the inhabited island chains that make up the country. It was too soon to know the extent of any damage, which would be assessed in daylight, the broadcaster added, but none was immediately reported. Tongan taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua posted to Facebook that items fell from shelves and tables and pictures fell from the walls during the shaking. 'Was hard to stand up,' he wrote. 'Never felt an earthquake go for that long.' Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with a population of just over 100,000 people, most of whom live on the main island of Tongatapu. It is 1,800 km (1,100 miles) north east of New Zealand and situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic region of earthquakes and volcanoes. The low-lying island nation was devastated by a tsunami in 2022 that was prompted by a volcanic eruption. Three people were killed.
