The powerful 7.6 earthquake also rocked a southern island at Neiafu, sending wild jittery waves and triggering alarms ahead about likely tsunami’s impact. Residents flocked to safer grounds within Tonga’s Vavaʻu land line after an earthquake appeared beneath the ocean floor.
According to the first earthquake reports, the earthquake was strong at a moderate depth, with surface shaking and likely aftershocks. At the time of the shock waves to the surface, some safety organizations including the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had already begun to gauge the likelihood of a tsunami.
When the magnitude of the earthquake reached 7.6 magnitude, experts issued precautionary advisories warning coastal residents to remain in contact and out of the low-lying areas before the earthquake to stay home. Emergency response systems were activated and local authorities started watching sea level with real-time observation of any unusual change for waves.
However, early assessments revealed that the earthquake was strong but that a toxic, wide ocean tsunami was not certain. An earthquake like this can generate local waves, but not always big ocean surges. The police said even minuscule tsunami waves can be dangerous and urged the population to take the safety precautions until the sea had a good all-clear.
Residents reported extreme shaking lasting several seconds though only minor cracks were reported in structures at this time. Most news media, however, did not report casualties until now, but the situation is still under review -especially in the remote islands where communication is poor.
Tonga lies on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent earthquakes and occasional volcanic activity. Although the geology in the region seems to present mild to strong quakes with small to medium probability of damaging landslides and aftershocks and a tsunami.
Emergency teams remain on standby and officials continue to stress to people not to go to coastal territories until officials are to confirm that the threat has passed. Travelers and residents should communicate properly through verified channels and in no one’s name so as not to share unverified information.
The monitoring is going forward from now on and it is a concern in earthquake prone areas. As one watches monitoring on the horizon, it will prove the importance of having preparedness in those areas of the world. As of now we hope that we have more data regarding seismic activity and ocean conditions will be issued when more information on the sea situation could be provided by the government (e.g.
