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Tonga – Hunga Tonga eruptionTechnical assistance to the Government of Tonga for volcanic activity
GNS Science assisted the Tongan Government with their response, resulting in improved hazard monitoring and more accurate volcanic ash understanding for aviation.
Overview
In December 2014 a volcanic eruption commenced in the vicinity of the islands of Hunga Ha'apai and Hunga Tonga (hereafter known as the Hunga area), approximately 65 km north-west of Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Over the next week GNS Science, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Tonga (MLNR) and NZ MetService discussed the activity, using observations from Nuku'alofa and data observed from satellites, in an effort to try to better understand the potential impacts of the eruption on Tonga and to provide data for NZ MetService for its modelling of volcanic ash in the atmosphere and its potential impact on aviation.
During this period the wind was largely from the east, blowing any ash away from Tonga, but by the first week of January the wind direction near the volcano started to blow from the north-west, which carried ash towards the island of Tongatapu and airline flight paths. The Tongan government subsequently requested assistance from New Zealand and resulted in this project.
The project aimed to
- assist the Tongan Government to assess volcanic activity and potential impacts after an underwater eruption in the vicinity of the islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai (hereafter known as the Hunga area)
- provide technical assistance to MLNR and Tonga MetOffice to help with its general volcano monitoring activities through training and advice
- mitigate future impacts of volcanic activity on aviation, especially flights to/from New Zealand, by assisting MLNR and Tonga MetOffice improve the flow and quality of information to the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
To achieve these objectives, we
- worked with Tongan authorities to facilitate two observation visits to the Hunga area with Tongan Government representatives, assessed the location and size of the eruption and its impacts on the surrounding area, and then used those observations to better understand the nature of the eruption and its potential impacts on Tonga, particularly on domestic and international aviation
- trained MLNR and Tonga MetOffice in how to make observations of volcanic activity; specifically, what to look for and how to record those observations, as well as how to communicate those observations via reports and briefings to the Tongan Government, NZ MetService and media
- worked with MLNR and Tonga MetOffice to understand their procedures for dealing with airline reports of volcanic ash and provided advice on how they could be improved
- provided first-hand information to NZ MetService to help with aviation ash forecasts and to Air New Zealand for planning flight schedules
The project
Goals
The goals were to help the Tongan government to assess the volcanic activity and its potential impacts on Tonga, and to provide technical assistance for its general volcano monitoring activities through training and advice. However, as the project began several flights to/from Tonga were cancelled due to the possible presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere above Tongatapu. It quickly became evident that improving the flow and quality of information to the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) at NZ MetService was of critical importance to Tonga.
The project included funding for several observation visits, either by plane or boat, to the Hunga area. In mid-January, staff from MLNR, Tonga MetOffice and the New Zealand High Commission to Tonga (NZHC) visited the area and provided the first comprehensive observations of the eruption, including its location, the size of the eruption, and the extent of impacts on the surrounding area.
From 14 to 20 January the GNS Science volcanologists worked with the NZHC, MLNR, Tonga MetOffice, and National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) to assist them.
Outcomes of this project
- Tonga is better able to observe and assess volcanic activity and its potential impacts.
- Tonga has improved the information it sends on the presence (or absence) of volcanic ash in the atmosphere to the Wellington VAAC, resulting in more reliable volcanic ash forecasts for aviation.
- Tonga has improved its general understanding of how to monitor volcanoes.
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Research programme details
Collaborators: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Tonga (MLNR), NZ MetService, NZHC, National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), Air NZ, Tonga Air, Tonga MetOffice
Duration
Jan-Feb 2015
Funding platform
The New Zealand Aid Programme
Status
Past
Leader
Dr Steven Sherburn
Funder
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)