Asia and Oceania

 

The 'ring-of-fire' is a horse-shoe-shaped zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that surrounds the basin of the Pacific Ocean. It is 40,000kms long and is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, island arcs, and volcanic mountain ranges and/or plate movements.

 

It is understood that 90% of the world's earthquakes and 81% of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire, which is a direct consequence of plate tectonics and the movement of collisions of crustal plates.

Earthquakes

An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale occurred to the west of the Tonga group of Islands on 20 March 2009.

These events can be disorientating and disturbing, and they can trigger tsunami alerts.  For more information on earthquakes and their effects, please visit: http://www.earthquake.usgs.gov/.

A major earthquake (8.3 on the Richter scale) struck 130 km SE of Samoa at 0648 am on 30 September 2009 (local time) generating a tsunami. There are reports of deaths and injuries in addition to property damage as a result of the tsunami on the island of Niuatoputapu. We advise against all but essential travel to this island.

An underwater volcano erupted near the Tongan island of Hunga Ha'apai on 17 March. The island is about 60 kilometres north east of Tonga’s capital, Nuku'alofa.

Tropical cyclones

 

The tropical cyclone season in Tonga normally runs from November to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).  You can also access http://www.met.gov.to/ for updates.  See Tropical cyclones for more information.