Tropical Cyclone "Harold" lashed Tonga on Thursday, April 9, 2020, after leaving major destruction across the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji. Harold is the first Category 5 severe tropical cyclone to form in the South Pacific basin since 2018 and so...
April 09, 2020
Severe Tropical Cyclone "Harold" left a path of destruction across Fiji on April 8, 2020, just 2 days after its devastating impact on Vanuatu -- the country's second-strongest cyclone on record. Harold's eye is passing just south of Tonga at 22:00...
April 08, 2020
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit the Samoa Islands / Tonga region at 16:06 UTC on March 17, 2020. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The USGS initially reported it as M5.8. EMSC still reports it as M5.8 at a depth of 9 km...
March 17, 2020
The center of Severe Tropical Cyclone "Tino" passed over Tonga on January 18, 2020, as a Category 3 cyclone. Luckily, it only grazed the capital Nuku'alofa, previously expected to suffer a direct hit. Tino's eye passed between the Ha'apai Group...
January 20, 2020
Tropical Cyclone "Sarai" formed near Fiji on December 26, 2019, as the second named storm of the 2019/20 South Pacific cyclone season. The cyclone is expected to continue intensifying, reaching Category 2 strength late December 27, SSW of Nadi, Fiji. Sarai...
December 26, 2019
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Tonga region at 13:04 UTC on December 6, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. The epicenter was located 164 km (101) WNW of Hihifo...
December 06, 2019
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit Tonga at 23:03 UTC on November 11, 2019, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting it as M5.9 The epicenter was located 147 km (91 miles) W of Neiafu and 251 km (156 miles) N of Nuku'alofa, Tonga....
November 12, 2019
A new underwater eruption at Tongan Metis Shoal volcano, also known as Lateiki, the source of a massive amount of pumice detected in August 2019, resulted in the creation of a new island by the end of October. This volcano is known for the creation of new islands....
November 11, 2019
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.6 hit Tonga at 22:43 UTC on November 4, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 13.4 km (8.3 miles). The quake hit 53 minutes after M6.1 (CSN; M6.0 USGS) near the coast of Coquimbo, Chile. It was followed...
November 04, 2019
The Aviation Color Code for Lateiki volcano, previously known as Matis Shoal, was raised to Orange at 21:20 UTC on October 14, 2019, after several observations confirmed eruption in progress. Real Tonga pilots flying between Tongatapu and Vava'u observed the...
October 17, 2019
A white plume was observed rising up to 5 km (17 000 feet) above sea level over underwater Metis Shoal volcano, Tonga at 22:06 UTC on October 14, 2019. The last eruption of this volcano took place in 1995 (VEI 2). The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange - the...
October 15, 2019
A new underwater eruption took place near Fonualei island in the Tonga archipelago on August 7, 2019. The eruption was first reported on August 7 when large clouds were observed 'on the horizon at the location of Fonualei volcano.' "The plume continued...
August 19, 2019
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit off the coast of Tonga at 21:56 UTC on June 16, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 40 km (24.8 miles). This earthquake can have a low humanitarian...
June 15, 2019
Nukuʻalofa, capital of Tonga, received 451.11 mm (17.7 inches) of rain during the month of March, more than double the average for the month and the 4th highest rainfall on record for March. Enhanced rainfall continued across the country in March, except...
April 18, 2019
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Tonga at 23:08 UTC on December 23, 2018 (12:28 LT, December 24). The agency is reporting a depth of 100.2 km (62 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 111 km (69 miles). This earthquake can have a low...
December 24, 2018
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Tonga at 08:33 UTC (21:33 LT) on November 10, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 60 km (37 miles). According to the USGS, the epicenter...
November 10, 2018
Tropical Storm "Gita" passed near Samoa and American Samoa on February 10 and 11 dropping heavy rain and causing flooding and widespread damage. Gita reached Tonga on Monday evening, February 12, 2018 (local time) as Category 4 tropical cyclone with...
February 12, 2018
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Tonga at 12:00 UTC on October 18, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 46 km (28.6 miles). According to the USGS, the epicenter was located...
October 18, 2017
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit Tonga at 14:04 UTC on October 8, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). GFZ is reporting M5.7 at the same depth. According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 154.3 km (95.9...
October 08, 2017
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Tonga region at 17:42 UTC on June 25, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 38.3 km (23.8 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 40 km (24.8 miles). According to the USGS, the epicenter was...
June 25, 2017
A strong and deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.9 hit Fiji - Tonga region at 17:28 UTC on February 24, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 396.1 km (246.1 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.9 at a depth of 400 km (248.5 miles). According to the USGS, the...
February 24, 2017
A new submarine eruption is taking place about 30 km (18.6 miles) north of Tonga's main island Tongatapu. It seems to have started on January 23, 2017. According to GeoNet, this volcano has been called 'Submarine Volcano III' in historic reports....
January 31, 2017
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit near Tonga at 13:41 UTC on July 10, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The epicenter was located 140 km (87.0 miles) NE of Hihifo, Tonga, 176 km (109.4 miles) SW of Apia,...
July 10, 2016
USGS registered strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake near Tonga, Pacific Ocean at 12:25 UTC on July 6, 2015. Preliminary report mentions depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).Epicenter was located 76 km (47 miles) NE of `Ohonua, 83 km (52 miles) ENE of Nuku`alofa, Tonga and 798 km (
July 06, 2015
A strong and deep earthquake registered as M6.5 by USGS hit near Ndoi Island, Fiji at 21:28 UTC on June 21, 2015. USGS is reporting depth of 563.5 km (350.1 miles.). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude at a depth of 553 km (343 miles).According to the USGS, epicenter w
June 21, 2015
A shallow M6.1 earthquake was registered by Geoscience Australia off the coast of Hihifo, Tonga at 11:07 UTC on June 12, 2015. The agency is reporting depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). Preliminary report by USGS mentions M6.3 at a depth of 28.6 km (17.8 miles).According to t
June 12, 2015
A strong and deep M6.1 earthquake at a depth of 200 km (124 miles) was registered by Geoscience Australia near Tonga at 00:30 UTC on May 20, 2015. USGS registered it as M6.0 at a depth of 80.3 km (112.0 miles).According to the USGS, epicenter was located 128km (80mi) WN
May 20, 2015
A strong and shallow earthquake Mwp6.5 (Geoscience Australia) hit Tonga region at 00:46 UTC on April 7, 2015. Geoscience Australia is reporting depth of 0 km. USGS is reporting this earthquake as M5.8 at a depth of 10 km.According to the USGS, epicenter was located 100
April 07, 2015
Continuous volcanic eruptions of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai which started mid-December 2014 are creating a new island about 65 km northwest of Nuku’alofa, Tonga. As of January 15, 2015 the island was more than 1 km long, about 2 km wide and around 100 meters hi
January 17, 2015
An undersea volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, located about 60 km (40 miles) north of Tongatapu, Tonga began erupting in late December 2014. On January 6, 2015, Wellington VAAC said observed volcanic ash is reaching an altitude of 6 km.The two small volcanic
January 06, 2015
A large volcanic eruption is currently taking place at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai undersea volcano near Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa. The volcano is indeed sending ash and steam high into the sky today, however, no official advisory was available at the press time
December 30, 2014
A very strong and deep earthquake measuring M6.9 (downgraded from M7.1) on the Richter scale was registered in Fiji region on November 1, 2014 at 18:57 UTC. USGS is reporting depth of 434.4 km (269.9 miles). Geoscience Australia is reporting M6.9 at depth of 471 km.Epic
November 01, 2014
A strong earthquake measuring M6.1 on the Richter scale was registered in Tonga region on October 28, 2014 at 03:15 UTC (15:15 local time). USGS reports depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). Geoscience Australia preliminary report mentions M6.0 quake.Epicenter was located 129 km
October 28, 2014
A strong and shallow earthquake measuring M6.0 on the Richter scale hit Tonga region on September 4, 2014, at 05:33 UTC. USGS is reporting depth of 11.8 km (7.4 miles). Geoscience Australia is reporting M6.1 at depth of 9 km. EMSC is reporting M6.0 at depth of 2 km.&nbs
September 04, 2014
Deep earthquake measuring M6.0 (USGS) on the Richter scale was registered off the coast of Hihifo, Tonga, on July 19, 2014, at 12:27 UTC. USGS is reporting depth of 219.8 km (136.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.2 earthquake at depth of 220 km.Epicenter was located&n
July 19, 2014
Strong and shallow earthquake measuring M6.5 struck Tonga on April 26, 2014 at 06:02 UTC. Epicenter was located 71 km (44 miles) NE of Nuku`alofa, Tonga and 777 km (483 miles) ESE of Suva, Fiji. USGS reported depth of 10 km. EMSC is reporting M6.4 at dept
April 26, 2014
Powerful and rare Category 5 tropical cyclone is starting to affect northern Tonga archipelago. Tropical Cyclone Ian is a first cyclone of the South Pacific season, which typically runs from November through April. The Met
January 11, 2014
Strong earthquake registered as M 6.4 (USGS) occurred off Neiafu, Tonga at 18:53 UTC on November 2, 2013. The epicenter was located 152 km (94 miles) ESE of Neiafu, Tonga and 596 km (370 miles) S of Apia, Samoa at coordinates 19.157°S 172.642°W.
November 02, 2013
A strong and deep earthquake M 7.4 struck south of Tonga on May 23, 2013 at 17:19 UTC. By preliminary reports USGS measured depth at 171 km, EMSC is reporting 179 km. Epicenter was located at the sea, 255km (158mi) SW of Vaini, Tonga
May 23, 2013
Deep M 6.5 earthquake struck near neiafu, Tonga on May 11, 2013 at 20:46 UTC. The epicenter was 139km (86miles) NW of Neiafu, Tonga 153km (219miles) N of Nuku`alofa, Tonga and 576km (358miles) SW of Apia, Samoa, at coordinates 17.944°S 175.075°W. The
May 11, 2013