the underwater Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupted with astonishing force That single difference led many scientists to underestimate its impact initially But new research has revealed a startling truth: submarine volcanoes can unleash forces powerful enough to cool hemispheres and reshape the upper atmosphere Led by researchers from the University of Auckland and Tonga, a recent study shows that Hunga’s eruption had far-reaching effects. It injected vast amounts of steam into the sky and reshaped what we know about volcanic climate influence Submarine eruptions were once seen as secondary players in climate dynamics Volcanoes influence the climate by injecting gases and particles into the atmosphere sulfur dioxide was considered the major player in determining the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions forming reflective aerosols that reduced sunlight and lowered global temperatures But the underwater Hunga volcano didn’t behave like those eruptions It released far less sulfur dioxide than expected That led some to believe its climate influence would be minor Yet the opposite has turned out to be true This underwater volcano’s impact has now been linked to measurable cooling across the Southern Hemisphere as well as other unusual atmospheric changes “Submarine volcanism has previously been overlooked in global climate studies because there is typically not much atmospheric sulfur dioxide released,” said Professor Shane Cronin Cronin’s work challenges the traditional view that sulfur dioxide is the sole metric for climate risk It injected up to 3 billion tons of water vapor into the sky in just one hour That vapor didn’t just stay in the lower atmosphere It rose all the way to the stratosphere and mesosphere – layers of the atmosphere that are rarely touched by earthly forces Water vapor in these upper layers can trap heat and affect weather patterns in complex ways This eruption showed that submarine volcanoes can influence the climate not just by what they emit but by how high they can push that material “The eruption has been shown by several recently published studies to have cooled the Southern Hemisphere and caused a range of other atmospheric and climate impacts that we are still discovering,” noted Cronin These ongoing discoveries are forcing a re-evaluation of the role underwater eruptions play in Earth’s climate balance While the eruption had the potential to unleash a large amount of sulfur dioxide satellite data initially reported only modest levels That seemed odd for an eruption of Hunga’s scale Volcanic ash samples collected from the eruption helped solve the mystery Researchers found that the magma stored deep below the ocean surface – between 2.1 and over 5.6 kilometers down – was rich in sulfur the eruption happened between 400 and 1,000 meters below sea level over 93% of the sulfur never reached the air It dissolved straight into the ocean waters The team estimated a total release of 9.4 teragrams of sulfur Yet almost all of it bypassed the sky entirely This means that traditional monitoring tools like satellite sulfur tracking and even polar ice-core analysis The sulfur was there – it just took a different path The eruption wasn’t just powerful; it was also incredibly fast Magma surged upward from the deep reservoir to the ocean floor in under three minutes That rapid ascent preserved microscopic chemical features Researchers discovered magmatic mingling with sharp contrasts – about 1% differences – in water content between magma types This revealed that complex storage and mixing processes occurred just before the blast it released 319 teragrams of magmatic water But even that number paled in comparison to the water that was created through the interaction between magma and seawater Less than 10% of the total water vapor came from the magma itself The vast majority resulted from seawater flashing into steam – enough to transform the sky above Because most of the sulfur entered the ocean the eruption left only a faint trace in the atmosphere This poses a major challenge for climate science Many global records of past eruptions rely on atmospheric sulfur data especially from satellite sensors or ice cores If eruptions like Hunga leave no clear signal in these tools Submarine eruptions may be more common – and more climate-relevant – than previously believed they go uncounted in climate histories and models This could mean that volcanic influence has been underestimated in past centuries or misjudged in terms of future risks Submarine explosions can trigger massive tsunamis Cronin and his team, including researchers now based at the University of Otago continue to work with Tongan partners to understand the long-term effects “We are striving to understand the broader hazards of submarine volcanism including tsunami and damage to shorelines and internet data cables as well as how these eruptions affect our environment and climate,” explained Cronin This collaboration is helping Pacific nations prepare for future eruptions It’s also drawing attention to gaps in global monitoring systems If a submarine eruption can impact the climate and infrastructure without much warning scientists and policymakers will need to rethink how they track and respond to these events The Hunga eruption has done more than shake the ocean floor – it has shaken the assumptions of climate science It showed that water vapor can drive climate shifts. It proved that sulfur can vanish into the sea, where it can remain hidden from satellites and ice. And it confirmed that submarine volcanoes deserve far more attention than they’ve received As researchers continue to explore Hunga’s aftermath one thing becomes clear: the deep sea holds more than secrets It holds the power to shape the air above us The study is published in the journal Nature Geoscience Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com Irish composer and sound designer Denis Kilty (denis.) creates a soundtrack shaped directly by Tonga's energy Directed by Adam Slama and produced by Studio Khonsu for Tourism Tonga the film follows a local man’s journey through land and time - a cinematic tribute to the first place on Earth to greet the sun Adam was in Tonga on a separate assignment when conversations with the tourism board sparked an idea: a film that would reflect not just the beauty of the islands but also their cultural and spiritual identity production began on what would become one of Studio Khonsu’s most evocative pieces The sound didn’t come after the image - it was part of the foundation and the national rugby team performing the Sipi Tau,” says denis “Those recordings didn’t just support the film - they shaped its structure and rhythm Storms and unpredictable weather altered the original vision What was meant to be a sun-drenched South Pacific showcase shifted into something more emotionally rich - dark skies and deep underwater blues became recurring visual motifs “The unexpected conditions added real depth,” says Adam “They gave us contrast — and the sound helped guide that emotional shift.” One of the film’s most striking moments comes during the rugby sequence featuring the Tongan national team training and performing their official Sipi Tau war dance saw an opportunity to amplify the energy of the footage through pace and sound “After syncing the energy of the Sipi Tau to the visuals I felt we could push it into something tighter and more physical - something closer to a sports campaign,” he explains “That collaboration with the edit allowed the music to move beyond score - it became rhythm the role of sound wasn’t secondary - it was essential “You always hear that sound is 70% of the experience - but with denis. ambient textures from location - he made them all work together the way he weaves music in and out of the natural sound - it’s just spot on.” The score flows between stillness and adrenaline - from the reverent quiet of a cathedral choir to a surging It's not a soundtrack layered on top; it’s the result of listening first “That’s the part I care most about,” says denis “Not adding sound after the fact - but letting it emerge from what’s already there Whether it’s a whale 20 metres below the surface or a voice echoing in a stone chapel “The film needed emotional rhythm,” Adam adds NASA estimated the volcanic eruption released 300 to 600 times as much energy as the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima That energy rippled above most clouds and weather Understanding what kinds of waves reach such great heights following a volcanic eruption is important because it can improve satellite safety and weather predictions in space “The 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption caused significant perturbations across various layers of the atmosphere, even reaching altitudes where satellites orbit,” according to a the AGU Advances paper “This event motivates us to investigate how energy transmits from the Earth's surface to the upper thermosphere.” To learn more about what kind of waves emanated from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai volcano and why they spread so far a team of scientists tapped into satellite data and computer models They investigated two possible culprits: Lamb waves and secondary gravity waves Lamb waves are created by pressure and tend to hug the Earth’s surface while secondary gravity waves originate when the initial eruption waves break apart Computer modeling demonstrated that the secondary gravity waves which have faster speeds and reach higher magnitudes The only way the scientists could make the computer model match the satellite data was by deploying a secondary gravity wave in the simulation “This implies that the secondary gravity wave mechanism is likely the dominant process in generating the global-scale thermospheric waves,” according to the paper Read More: The Eruption in Tonga May Have Been the Largest in Half a Century Although this study focused on waves that entered the atmosphere, the volcano produced others much closer to home The blast also generated a tsunami as high as 50 feet that hit many Tonga island The tsunami crossed the Pacific to North America where waves over three feet tall crashed into the California and Oregon coasts Seismometers in the Midwest detected a low-frequency shockwave That shockwave travelled over 5,800 miles to reach Anchorage Read More: 5 of the Most Explosive Volcanic Eruptions Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards Review the sources used below for this article: Advancing Earth and Space Sciences. Were Gravity Waves or Lamb Waves Responsible for the Large-Scale Thermospheric Response to the Tonga Eruption? Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist life science policy and global scientific career issues His work has appeared in publications including Science News Register or Log In Want more?Keep reading for as low as $1.99 Subscribe Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine Tonga Police have confirmed the death of a 74-year-old man at his residence in Masilamea after neighbours reported concerns about the man’s welfare Police arrived at the scene and found the man deceased in his home A medical report from Vaiola Hospital confirmed that the man had passed away more than 48 hours before his body was discovered with the cause of death determined to be cardiac arrest The body has been released to the family for burial Tonga Police expressed their deepest condolences to the grieving family and loved ones acknowledging the difficulty of their loss Authorities have not indicated any suspicion of foul play but continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the delayed discovery of the death Continue to clean up and destroy mosquito breeding sites around the HOME and SCHOOLS Wear appropriate clothing to minimize mosquito bites and use mosquito nets and repellents such as lotion and spray watch out for severe symptoms and seek medical attention immediately Number of consultations with Dengue like Illness versus Lab-confirmed Dengue cases showcasing an improved attack and strategic control throughout the match Saturday night was only the second win over Tonga for the United States and the first since their first meeting in 1999 Mark O'Keeffe and Mikey Grandy made their Eagles debuts while captain Greg Peterson earned his 50th test cap but the USA responded with impressive defensive solidity the Eagles weathered Tonga's initial pressure and capitalized on key turnovers and set-piece opportunities to seize control This victory marks another important step in the Eagles' ongoing cohesion and development as they continue to show improvement under Head Coach Scott Lawrence The team's emphasis on disciplined defense and the inclusion of younger players into key roles is paying dividends Several players stepped up to make a significant impact and this win will be a benchmark as the team continues to evolve when we just keep ahold of the ball and go forward we’re pretty athletic in the middle of the field so we were able to get some purchase in this game.” “I think early on in the game Tonga was winning the collisions and it took us a little while to get into the game we became more accurate in the contact area and I think that was the difference in the collisions.” In terms of work ons for the next match against Spain we had three 22 entries that we didn’t convert so I think we have some opportunities there with the pressure we’re putting on teams and our entires in the 22.” looking to use their speed to break through the USA defense gaining ground up to the halfway line before a quick offload kept their attack alive With fast offloads and quick breakthroughs Tonga found space and scored the first try of the game tightening up the width and keeping better shape with Mitch Wilson broke free and gained significant ground into Tonga’s half A knock-on by the Eagles led to a TMO review of a high tackle and they earned a line-out in good attacking territory The Eagles set up a maul from the line-out but quickly got the ball out and worked together Dominic Besag capped off the drive with a try to put the USA on the board The game continued with both sides exchanging possession and territory Tonga's high-paced attack led to a scrum at the five-meter line but the USA's pressure led to a collapsing scrum with Jason Damm breaking through a tackle to score putting the Eagles up 12-7 after AJ MacGinty’s conversion the USA had a line-out on Tonga's five-meter line muscling his way over the try line to increase the Eagles' lead capitalizing on a few penalties and winning another scrum they launched a final attack to score in the corner even after a 20-minute red card to Mitch Wilson for a high tackle Mark O’Keeffe made an immediate impact on his debut helping the Eagles clear their lines and maintain composure the USA continued to dominate the set pieces with a dominant driving maul forcing Tonga to concede penalties Heading into the second half down one player Ruben de Haas intercepted Tonga's attack in a surprise attack ending with a try but the USA turned around and put in the work to get AJ MacGinty over the line to increase the USA's lead O'Keeffe used his speed to break away and bring the ball into Tonga's territory where a penalty gave MacGinty a kick to add three to the tally with their relentless pressure on both sides of the ball being too much for Tonga to handle The Eagles’ depth and discipline were key in weathering the early storm and finishing strong This victory gives the USA plenty of confidence as they look ahead to their next fixture against Spain With the lessons learned in this match and the ongoing guidance of Scott Lawrence the Eagles will be looking to build on their momentum and continue their strong performance in the upcoming clash Jennifer Roney | Assistant Athletic Trainer Willie Berlanga | Sports Massage Therapist .css-h3az1r{font-family:FuturaMaxiWXX-Bold,"HelveticaNeue-Bold",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:inherit;font-weight:400;}Nov 9 | Portugal vs USA | 17-21 (W) .css-tm001h{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;color:#6B6B6B;text-decoration-color:#6B6B6B;}.css-tm001h:hover,.css-tm001h:focus,.css-tm001h:active{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#333;color:#333;}WATCH LIVE » Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Aurora Ellis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved The Lagoon at the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Thursday Examiner reporter Natalia Gurevich tastes a Zombie cocktail she made at the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Thursday Examiner reporter Natalia Gurevich pours out a Zombie cocktail from the shaker at the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Thursday Examiner reporter Natalia Gurevich learns how to make a Mai Tai cocktail from bartender Josh Hernandez at the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Thursday The historic tiki bar is older than the “Happiest Place on Earth,” turning 80 later this year it’s hard for me to find places outside of Disneyland that inspire a certain sense of childlike wonder and nostalgia San Francisco’s Tonga Room is an exception at keeping such whimsy alive and it’s even older than the “Happiest Place on Earth.” The historic Fairmont Hotel tiki bar turns 80 this year and thinking about my own impending 30th birthday next month I hoped a visit to the venue would soothe my inner child while reminding me that some things can only get better with age The second-oldest tiki bar in The City — Trad’r Sam Originally a plunge pool when the hotel opened its doors in 1907 a Hollywood set designer transformed the basement space in 1945 into the bar San Franciscans know and love little has changed except for a few touchups here and there “It is truly almost frozen in time,” Caetano said Aside from redoing the floors and repairing the bamboo huts and thatched roof the ambiance and the decor immediately bring to mind Disneyland particularly the park’s Enchanted Tiki Room with its thatched bamboo roof and dark but Caetano said he usually describes it as “Willy Wonka's chocolate factory,” particularly with the consequences of someone diving into their version of the chocolate river — the pool ‘Does anyone ever jump in the pool?’” Caetano said “It doesn't happen nearly as often as you might think.” unlike other places that stay open until 2 a.m. and they serve food along with their strong drinks Caetano said someone is tempted every so often That led to the bar enacting a $1,000 fine — or fee depending on your perspective — for people who take a swim He said people used to jump in almost every week before they first implemented the fine which didn’t seem as if it was high enough to dissuade people I don’t know how many Mai Tais it would take for me to climb in but Hernandez told me that he has only ever seen someone consume six tiki drinks in one sitting They still managed to get up and leave on their own two feet “I think these guys are just professional drinkers,” he said I asked Hernandez to show me their version of perhaps one of the deadliest tiki drinks there is: the Zombie Their version is an homage to whom Hernandez said is credited with ushering in the tiki movement He opened a tiki bar and restaurant in Hollywood in the 1930s called Don the Beachcomber “The way it started is Don the Beachcomber would actually and then that's how he started experimenting with rum and different fruits and flavors.” San Francisco is hosting everything from lucha libre matches to day parties The worth of a typical home in San Francisco has trended differently than peers in other nearby counties  Old Fashioneds and Manhattans dominated drinkers’ cocktail consumption Hernandez said it’s likely that Sam Baylon got his inspiration from Beach’s establishment and brought the style up to The City he has picked up over the years on the job Tonga Room staff make their Zombies and other such signature cocktails in large batches ahead of time to keep up with demand on an average night he gave me the rundown for a one-and-done recipe The Zombie starts with three-quarters of an ounce of what they call “Donn’s mix,” which is equal parts grapefruit juice and lime juice with a bit of cinnamon to add a little spice and sweetness That’s poured into a metal shaker filled with ice then poured into a glass tiki mug over crushed ice They used to serve drinks in kitschy ceramic tiki mugs but Hernandez said those far too often wound up in a sly customer’s handbag or coat pocket They’re still available for sale at the front The Zombie is topped with even more crushed ice and a healthy splash of grenadine I felt the rum hit me as soon as I took my first sip the acidity of the lime and the grapefruit cut through the drink’s sweetness with the absinthe and cinnamon adding another layer of spice and bitterness I wasn’t able to savor it for too long — I then had to make a Mai Tai It starts with an ounce of lime juice poured over ice in a shaker Many people assume that a classic Mai Tai has pineapple juice in it That’s followed by an ounce of clear Curaçao which I didn’t realize came in any other color than bright blue and a full ounce of both Jamaican rum and white rum strained over a short glass filled with ice and topped with mint and a lime wedge likely from the orgeat and the simple syrup Hernandez and I both declared that we preferred the Zombie probably the strongest cocktail on our menu overall,” he said I always worry that tiki drinks are going to be cloying and the Zombie felt a bit more balanced than the Mai Tai and I had to limit myself to sticking with just the Zombie after a few sips Any more and I might have struck up a conversation with the only other resident at the bar at that hour the wooden tiki god looming over the glistening bottles of rum ngurevich@sfexaminer.com Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Ben Pimentel’s new weekly newsletter covering the biggest technology stories in San Francisco Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-edition email Receive occasional local offers from our website and its advertisers Sneak peek of the Examiner real estate section We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account A strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake rumbled near the island nation of Tonga, causing a tsunami warning for the Pacific island country. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake struck about 55 miles southeast of Pangai in the early morning hours of Monday Pangai is home to the principal port of the Ha'apai Group of islands of Tonga The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning that hazardous waves were possible for Tonga's coasts within 180 miles of the earthquake's epicenter Tsunami waves were later observed but were not extreme and were forecast to be less than three feet above the tide level The tsunami warning was soon lifted and there were no immediate reports of damage a second quake with a magnitude of 6.1 hit in the same area Tonga is made up of more than 170 islands in Polynesia most people live on the main island of Tongatapu Tongatapu is about 2,000 miles off Australia's east coast - More than 1,600 Dead After Earthquakes Hit Myanmar, Thailand - Storm Moving Through Eastern U.S. Could Spread Snow and Ice We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview A strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake rumbled near the island nation of Tonga, causing a tsunami warning for the Pacific island country. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake struck about 55 miles southeast of Pangai in the early morning hours of Monday Pangai is home to the principal port of the Ha'apai Group of islands of Tonga The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning that hazardous waves were possible for Tonga's coasts within 180 miles of the earthquake's epicenter Tongatapu is about 2,000 miles off Australia's east coast - More than 1,600 Dead After Earthquakes Hit Myanmar, Thailand - Storm Moving Through Eastern U.S. Could Spread Snow and Ice This image taken from video provided by Viral Tonganz shows vehicles in traffic after a strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted for the Pacific island country 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 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 “Never felt an earthquake go for that long.” 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 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 speaking to Radio New Zealand a few hours after the quake Further assessment would be made in daylight 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 A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Tonga early Monday morning prompting a tsunami warning that has since been lifted Geological Survey said that the earthquake hit about 62 miles northeast of the main island of Tongatapu at around 1:18 a.m The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning that was rescinded about an hour after the earthquake. Locals were not advised to return to their homes by the Tonga Meteorological Services − according to the Tongan news outlet Talanoa o Tonga The area has seen six aftershocks There were no initial reports of damage caused by the earthquake The earthquake that rattled Tonga comes days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, killing nearly 1,700 and destroying structures across the country Images from the Southeast Asian country on Saturday show the aftermath of the earthquake and tremors Predictive modeling by the USGS suggests the death toll could reach as high as 10,000 people "This is not just a disaster; it is a complex humanitarian crisis layered over existing vulnerabilities," Alexander Matheou Red Cross regional director for Asia Pacific Photo Credit: TNA's YoutubeOjas KulkarniApril 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM UTC·2 min readSeveral fans recently discovered that Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, and Tonga Loa were once part of the same faction in TNA Wrestling called The Rising In 2015, The Rising featured Drew McIntyre then known as Drew Galloway, LA Knight then called Eli Drake, and Tonga Loa then known as Micah. They formed the faction in April 2015 but split up just three months later in July The Rising gained attention again following the recent segment between McIntyre and Knight’s segment with Tonga Loa’s new Bloodline members faced off with Drew McIntyre and LA Knight General manager Nick Aldis sets up a number one contender’s match between McIntyre and Knight but Damian Priest interfered and attacked McIntyre it looks like Jacob Fatu might have to defend his title against Drew McIntyre Drew McIntyre spoke about his time in The Rising during a September 2024 interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet literally every three weeks and for most TNA tapings It led to the creation obviously of AEW … I had fun with those guys I kind of didn’t understand why I needed a group I was friends with Camacho — not sure what he wrestles as these days I’d never really been around LA at the time and at first I wasn’t too sure of him … I don’t know his personality — sometimes he can rub you the wrong way at first it was a lot at times.” [H/T: Wrestling Inc] Read More: LA Knight Didn’t Know He Had Heat With Drew McIntyre After WWE Royal Rumble Metrics details The January 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) volcano discharged 2,900 teragrams of ejecta most of which was deposited in the South Pacific Ocean Here we investigate its impact on the biogeochemistry of the South Pacific Gyre (SPG) using samples collected during the GEOTRACES cruise GP21 in February-April 2022 Surface water neodymium isotopes and rare earth element compositions showed a marked volcanic impact in the western SPG potentially extending to the eastern region Increasing trace metal concentrations in surface waters and chlorophyll-a inventories in euphotic layers between the eastern and western SPG further suggest that the volcanic eruption supplied (micro)nutrients potentially stimulating a biological response We estimate that the HTHH eruption released up to 0.16 kt of neodymium and 32 kt of iron into the SPG which is comparable to the annual global dust-borne Nd flux and the annual dust-borne Fe flux to the entire SPG the large-scale impact of the HTHH eruption on SPG biogeochemistry has not been explored The dissolution of lithogenic material weakens the Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce*PAAS closer to 1) and modifies the dissolved HREE/LREE ratio depending on the composition of the dissolving material We find that the western SPG exhibited strong (bio)geochemical impacts following the volcanic inputs originating from the HTHH which likely extended to the central SPG via atmospheric ash dispersal and surface current transport which overlapped with the GP21 cruise track the error bars are derived from the propagation of measurement errors (2 SD) of each element The blue arrow indicates the change of REE patterns in surface seawater from eastern to western South Pacific Gyre as a result of volcanic material dissolution The error bar for HTHH lava represents the standard deviation (SD) of five lava samples while the error bars for surface water and pumice are derived from the propagation of measurement errors (2 SD) of each element The dashed blue line and dotted blue lines represent the linear regression of Ce/Ce*PAAS and HREE/LREEPAAS in the surface water of the South Pacific Gyre (this study) and the 95% confidence interval of the regression the geochemical composition of our collected pumice strongly suggests that it originated from the HTHH eruption it is unlikely that Australian dust is a major component of the external source Station 40 is on the flank of the Monowai seamount The external 2 SD of the εNd is smaller than symbol size PAAS normalized Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*PAAS) is calculated as 2*EuPAAS/(GdPAAS +SmPAAS) Error bars for Eu anomaly are derived from the propagation of measurement errors (2 SD) of each element Helium (He) isotope data are not available for station 42 in the upper 600 m The external 2 SD of the εNd values are smaller than the symbol size and dFe represent 1 SD of repeated measurements of these trace metals that the time interval after the eruption may have precluded the observation of the most elevated phytoplankton biomass in the western SPG Given that multiple sources of trace metals are known in the western SPG confidently ascribing this elevated phytoplankton biomass to volcanic dFe fertilization over and above other sources is challenging volcanic input was identified as the dominant TM source to surface waters therefore we consider a linkage between volcanic input from the HTHH eruption into the western SPG and the enhanced TChl-a inventory a plausible scenario Although Nd scavenging is clearly evident based on the lack of a Nd concentration enrichment in surface waters of the depositional area this release still had a significant impact on the Nd isotope composition and REE characteristics of surface waters making them sensitive tracers of volcanic activity in the present and past ocean estimated a dust-borne Fe flux to the central region of the SPG at 3.5–11 μmol/m2/yr Multiplying this estimate with the surface area of the SPG (37 million km2) yields an estimated dust-borne Fe flux to the SPG of 1.3–4.1 × 108 mol/yr the quantity of Fe released from the HTHH eruption is equivalent to the annual dust-borne Fe flux into the entire SPG In order to improve the accuracy of biogeochemical models in the Pacific Ocean necessary to incorporate the episodic volcanic input of trace metals and to improve parameterization of the key chemical-biological processes that respond to volcanic inputs in the models Information about the HTHH volcano was extracted from the Smithsonian Institution “Volcanoes of the World” database 2006-present) data was used for meteorology Eruption source parameters (ESPs) for the HTHH volcanic eruption as assigned by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) The HYSPLIT model was run for 72 hours with 3 concentration layers after the eruption (15th January 2022 09:00 UTC) with a 24 hours output interval Model output displays results of one-hour averages at the given snapshot interval for 3 altitude layers: 6000 m The NOAA HYSPLIT trajectory model67 was used to calculate forward trajectories after the HTHH eruption (15th January 2022 A maximum of 315 hours can be specified for archive datasets on the website “Model vertical velocity” that uses the vertical velocity field from meteorological data was chosen for the type of vertical motion method the trajectory model uses in its calculation A total of 28 surface seawater samples were collected for the radiogenic Nd isotope measurements Approximately 20 L of surface seawater was collected for stations 1-14 using 10 L Niskin bottles attached to a stainless steel CTD rosette ~40 L of surface seawater was collected per sample from a towed trace-metal-clean near-surface seawater sampling device equipped with acid-washed PVC tubing and pumping provided by a Teflon diaphragm pump (i.e either immediately before or after the station to allow isotopic composition measurements at anticipated low concentrations an additional 17 surface samples (1-2 L) were collected from the tow-fish for REE measurements The total procedural laboratory blanks for water samples (n = 3) were negligible at <20 pg for Nd and contributed a maximum of 0.3 % to the seawater samples where the 143Nd/144Nd of CHUR (Chondritic Uniform Reservoir) are 0.51263972 The external reproducibility (2 × standard deviations 2 SD) of the Nd isotope measurements was assessed by repeated purification and measurement of USGS reference material NOD-A-1 at concentrations matched to those of the samples (12-20 ppb which is used to demonstrate the error of the measured εNd in all figures (2 SD = 0.15) If the internal error (2 × standard errors 2SE) of a sample was larger than the external error Neodymium in the digestion solution was then purified by chromatography following the same procedure as for seawater The accuracy and reproducibility of the fusion technique and measurement were monitored by processing reference materials with each batch of samples including USGS reference material BHVO-2 (εNd = +6.80 ± 0.24 The larger 2 SD from BHVO-2 measurement is used to demonstrate the error of the measured εNd in the pumice (2 SD = 0.24) For the precise determination of Nd concentrations 1 L samples were spiked with a pre-weighed 150Nd spike after which the Nd was precipitated with FeCl3 solution and purified with cation exchange resin AG 50W-X8 (1.4 ml The Nd concentration was then measured on the Neptune Plus MC-ICPMS via the isotope dilution (ID) method based on 150Nd/144Nd External reproducibility (2 SD) was better than 0.4 % for Nd according to repeated treatment and measurement of the same sample (n = 4) Quantification and accuracy of trace metals was assessed using standard addition (R2 = 0.99) as well as certified reference materials (SAFe D2; Cass-6 and Nass-7 achieved to good agreement with reported consensus values (weighted mean absolute percentage error (WMAPE): <5.5% for dFe and <11% for dMn) Several seawater samples were run as duplicates or triplicates and returned relative standard deviations (RSDs) of <6.7% (dFe) and <9% (dMn) which are used to represent the error of each sample The limit of detection was 0.005 nmol/L for dMn a working reagent consisting of 40 mg/L lumigallion and 2 M ammonium acetate (pH ~6) was prepared and stored in dark at the fridge Working reagent (250 µL) was added into the 5 mL acidified seawater (pH ~1.9) Samples were then placed in an oven at 80 °C for 3 h to accelerate Al-lumogallion complexation 20 nmol/L Al standard additions to surface seawater from South Atlantic Gyre) blank determination and an internal reference sample were pretreated in the same manner as samples and measured daily All samples were analyzed using a Cary Eclipse fluorimeter; emission and excitation wavelengths were set to 507 − 575 nm Blank contributions were determined as two separate parts The manifold blank was assessed by the average counts of two acidified seawater samples (one surface and one deep water) without reagents The reagent blank was determined using two different methods: (1) by analyzing three acidified seawater samples spiked with 1x and 3x reagent volume and (2) using two calibration series with 1x and 2x reagent volume The reagent blank was then assessed from the difference in the intercepts of two series of calibration lines and the error of each sample is reported as the 1 SD of repeated measurements Pigment standards were from Sigma-Aldrich (USA) and the International Agency for 14 C Determination (Denmark) The total chlorophyll-a (TChl-a) concentration was calculated as the sum of chlorophyll-a and divinyl chlorophyll-a concentrations The TChl-a inventory in the euphotic zone was calculated through the trapezoidal integration method is expressed relative to the atmospheric ratio (Ra = 1.38 × 10−6) The background 3He concentration (~2.38 fM) in the deep ocean was calculated from the background δ3He (~ −1.7 %) and equilibrium He concentrations (~1.75 nM) at the observed in situ salinity (~35 PSU) and temperature (~3.5 °C) The excess of 3He (3Hexs) was then calculated by subtracting the background 3He and 3H levels from the measured 3He concentrations Further information on research design is available in the Nature Portfolio Reporting Summary linked to this article Fertilizing potential of volcanic ash in ocean surface water Subduction zone volcanic ash can fertilize the surface ocean and stimulate phytoplankton growth: Evidence from biogeochemical experiments and satellite data Surface ocean iron fertilization: The role of airborne volcanic ash from subduction zone and hot spot volcanoes and related iron fluxes into the Pacific Ocean Volcanic trigger of ocean deoxygenation during Cordilleran ice sheet retreat Bipolar correlation of volcanism with millennial climate change Climate forcing by iron fertilization from repeated ignimbrite eruptions: The icehouse–silicic large igneous province (SLIP) hypothesis Atmospheric global dust cycle and iron inputs to the ocean and the evolution of the South Pacific Gyre through the Cenozoic Insights into the biogeochemical cycling of iron and phosphate across a 5,300 km South Pacific Zonal Section (153°E–150°W) Rapid characterization of large volcanic eruptions: measuring the impulse of the hunga tonga ha’apai explosion from teleseismic waves The January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano reached the mesosphere Under the surface: Pressure-induced planetary-scale waves and gaseous clouds caused by the submarine eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano Differential response of chlorophyll-a concentrations to explosive volcanism in the western South Pacific Satellite detection of a massive phytoplankton bloom following the 2022 submarine eruption of the hunga tonga‐hunga haʻapai volcano Eyjafjallajökull volcanic ash in southern Italy Interaction between volcanic plumes and wind during the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption Atmospherically transported volcanic dust in South Pacific deep sea sedimentary cores at distances over 3000 km from the eruptive source Impact of ashes from the 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption on satellite ocean color signatures Natural iron fertilization by the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption On the fate of pumice rafts formed during the 2012 Havre submarine eruption and biogeochemical connections in the south pacific ocean from thorium isotopes Island weathering: river sources of rare earth elements to the Western Pacific Ocean The large-scale evolution of neodymium isotopic composition in the global modern and Holocene ocean revealed from seawater and archive data Tracing Papua New Guinea imprint on the central Equatorial Pacific Ocean using neodymium isotopic compositions and rare earth element patterns From the subtropics to the central equatorial Pacific Ocean: Neodymium isotopic composition and rare earth element concentration variations Neodymium in the oceans: A global database a regional comparison and implications for palaeoceanographic research Its Composition and Evolution: An Examination of the Geochemical Record Preserved in Sedimentary Rocks Talley, L. D., Pickard, G. L., Emery, W. J. & Swift, J. H. 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A. et al. Sampling and Sample-Handling Protocols for GEOTRACES Cruises. (GEOTRACES International Project Office, Toulouse, France, 2010). https://doi.org/10.25607/OBP-2 Tracing water mass mixing and continental inputs in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean with dissolved neodymium isotopes An assessment of mass discrimination in MC-ICPMS using Nd isotopes JNdi-1: a neodymium isotopic reference in consistency with LaJolla neodymium Hf and Th in geological samples by ICP‐MS after Tm addition and alkaline fusion Overlooked riverine contributions of dissolved neodymium and hafnium to the Amazon estuary and oceans GEOTRACES intercalibration of neodymium isotopes and rare earth element concentrations in seawater and suspended particles Part 1: Reproducibility of results for the international intercomparison and Mn in seawater with analysis using high-resolution sector field inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry Improved fluorimetric determination of dissolved aluminium by micelle-enhanced lumogallion complex in natural waters Computer-assisted high-performance liquid chromatography method development with applications to the isolation and analysis of phytoplankton pigments The Bremen mass spectrometric facility for the measurement of helium isotopes Schlitzer, R. Ocean Data View. https://odv.awi.de (2023) Trace-element systematics of sediments in the Murray–Darling Basin Australia: Sediment provenance and palaeoclimate implications of fine scale chemical heterogeneity High resolution provenancing of long travelled dust deposited on the Southern Alps Petrogenesis of Coarse-grained Intrusives from Tahiti Nui and Raiatea (Society Islands Download references acknowledge funding support from the BMBF (Förderkennzeichen 03G0289NA) Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL Present address: Institute of Environmental Physics Present address: School of Ocean and Earth Science GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and College of Ocean and Earth Sciences designed and coordinated the research; M.F carried out the sampling and analytical work with the help from A.X. contributed to the interpretation of data; Z.Z and all co-authors reviewed and contributed to the final version The authors declare no competing interests Nature Communications thanks Matthieu Bressac and David Santana for their contribution to the peer review of this work Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52904-3 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily. The Tongan government has asked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to conduct a full-scale investigation into the Tonga Development Bank (TDB), including any potential illegal activities and breaches of banking regulations, Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimālohi said. The decision follows the Public Enterprises Minister’s assertion that a TDB $14 million loan scheme intended to aid low-income earners, including fishermen and weavers, did not achieve its goals. The Minister Piveni Piukala claimed that the bank provided the scheme to a larger number of individuals with good incomes. The bank CEO, Emeline Tuita, previously denied the allegations to Kaniva News. Deputy Prime Minister Fusimālohi confirmed the ADB investigation request last week, stating that a report alleges the TDB violated the single borrower’s limit set by law. It has been revealed that the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, had replaced the entire board of directors of the TDB in a surprising shake-up. Before taking office, the Eke government criticised the former Hu’akvameiliku administration for negligence, claiming that it allowed the government’s two banks, TDB and the Tonga National Reserve Bank (NRBT), to face a legal issue in court. It said the banks’ customers would ultimately bear the costs incurred. Hu’akavameiliku previously stated that TDB is a government entity that operates independently. A Supreme Court ruling has reportedly allowed the TDB application to withdraw its civil lawsuit against the NRBT. The case accused NRBT Governor Tatafu Moeaki and local reporters of unlawfully leaking confidential banking information to the media and public. The TDB had claimed the leak violated the NRBT Act, which carries penalties of up to four years imprisonment or a $20,000 fine, and accused Moeaki of defamation. Local reports indicated that TDB CEO Tuita and former director Penisimani Vea challenged the decision to end the legal battle. Pili Peters (CDMA '25) describes traveling to Polynesia to provide free dental services (Left to right, top row): Chi Le, Tasha Boyce, Taylor Burchfield, Dr. Melanie Bauer, Pili Peters, Ki Tingey Dr. John Barnes, Dr. Steven Call, and Casey Orr. After a long five-year wait due to the pandemic, Midwestern University’s College of Dental Medicine – Arizona was finally able to reinstate its dental service trips. On November 14, 2024, ten fourth-year dental students, three faculty members, and an alumnus embarked on a 14-day journey to Tonga, which is located in Polynesia. Our group carried checked luggage filled with essential dental supplies to help restock the clinic and ensure we were well-prepared to provide care to the local community. The day after our arrival, we set up the clinic and met the warm and welcoming staff who were volunteering at the time: Karen, an American RDH, along with Heu and Ofa, both native missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The clinic consisted of four dental chairs in an open space, as well as a separate room containing two additional chairs. We designated the enclosed area as our endodontic (root canal) station and used the other four chairs for general treatment. Additionally, we brought tools and materials to fabricate replacement partial dentures for those in need. Over the course of our trip, we provided care to a diverse range of patients—entire families, from grandparents to children as young as four years old. In total, we performed over 400 procedures, treating an average of 50 patients per day. Every patient we treated was incredibly kind. Most spoke English, and those who didn’t often brought a family member to translate. Culturally, it was common for them to remove their shoes before sitting in the dental chair. Many were so appreciative of our presence that they even brought us small gifts as tokens of gratitude. For some, this was their first time seeing a dentist. Others came in experiencing pain, while a few had prior dental work that needed repair. The most rewarding moments were when we were able to restore a patient’s smile, whether by replacing missing front teeth, fixing a broken prosthesis, or adding a tooth to an existing partial denture. Seeing their joy and gratitude was an unforgettable experience. Beyond providing dental care, we had the opportunity to explore the island and immerse ourselves in Tongan culture. This trip was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in dental school, and I’m grateful that CDMA can once again offer these service trips. Witnessing first-hand the immense need for dental care and knowing that we have the skills to make a real difference in people’s lives was truly inspiring! On 23rd April, the Chinese Embassy in Tonga successfully held a Talanoa with the participants from She Leads Fale Alea 2025. Over 50 people attended, including Tongan young female representatives, Chinese teachers and embassy’s staff. Ambassador Liu Weimin attended and delivered remarks, highlighting the significance of the upcoming Global Women’s Summit. Tongan representatives spoke highly of China’s achievements in advancing women’s rights. The Talanoa was conducted in a warm and friendly atmosphere, receiving widespread praise. Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry Today’s Paper#masthead-section-label, #masthead-bar-one { display: none }Earthquakes By William B. Davis, Madison Dong, Judson Jones, John Keefe and Bea Malsky 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck in the South Pacific Ocean on Monday according to the United States Geological Survey The quake prompted a brief “Tsunami Threat” for Tonga Preliminary reports from the U.S. Tsunami Warning System said tsunami waves were possible for coastlines within about 190 miles of the earthquake’s epicenter The system issued an all-clear notice about an hour later after a tsunami would have struck had one materialized Tsunamis are a series of long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of water in the ocean usually from a large earthquake on or below the ocean floor Tsunamis radiate in all directions from the epicenter and can cause dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents that can last for hours or days Tonga time about 49 miles southeast of Pangai data earlier reported that the magnitude was 7.1 they may revise the earthquake’s reported magnitude Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S scientists to update the shake-severity map An aftershock is usually a smaller earthquake that follows a larger one in the same general area Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake weeks or even years after the first earthquake These events can be of equal or larger magnitude to the initial earthquake and they can continue to affect already damaged locations Source: United States Geological Survey | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake This 2018 photo shows smoke rising from Lofia earlier on in the current eruption phase A 2022 satellite photo shows smoke rising from a caldera on Tofua highlighting the "looming threat" of the volcanic island Smoke coming from a volcanic cone near the island's summit This stunning aerial shot highlights the "looming threat" of a volcanic island in Tonga which could violently explode in the future The island also has a colorful origin story in Tongan mythology a stolen mountain and a brightly shining anus Related: See all the best images of Earth from space "There's the looming threat that Lofia could erupt explosively, much like Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai did in 2022," though nothing suggests an eruption is imminent, NASA representatives wrote in October 2024 Tofua has erupted at least 12 times since 1774, according to the Smithsonian Institute's Global Volcanism Program The most recent and eruptive phase began in 2015 and is technically ongoing the activity has mostly diminished as of May 2024 Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox there is a colorful tale to explain Tofua's giant caldera and the creation of Kao — a tall cone-shaped island around 2.5 miles (4 km) northeast of Tofua which is just out of shot in the satellite image In "Tongan myths and tales," (Kraus 1924) which was compiled from oral tradition told by local people at the time American anthropologist Edward Winslow Gifford wrote the story: —Erupting 'sharkcano' spits out a giant underwater plume in Oceania —Eerily circular 'Goblin Forest' surrounds sacred volcano with human rights So they came and tore up the high mountain by its very roots and its place was taken by a large lake This enraged the Tongan gods very much and one of them He stood on the island of Luahako and bent over so as to show his anus It shone so brilliantly that the Samoan deities were struck with fear thinking that the sun was rising and that their dastardly works was about to be revealed they dropped the mountain close to Tofua and fled to Samoa It is unclear from the account why Tafakula's anus shone like the sun you will then be prompted to enter your display name Heavy dusting of 'pineapple powder' paints Hawaii's volcanoes white after near-record snowfall — Earth from space Mystery of Bolivian 'zombie' volcano finally solved Quantum 'miracle material' can store information in a single dimension thanks to newly discovered magnetic switching United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo have joined in rallying calls for climate action and early warnings in Pacific islands who are on the frontline of climate change.  In an address to the opening of the 18-Member Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, Mr Guterres said that the Pacific “is a beacon of solidarity and strength Celeste Saulo joined Mr Guterres at the Forum, to bring attention to how climate change and associated sea-level rise is impacting Pacific islands, and to highlight the need for Early Warnings for All as a crucial climate adaptation tool.  The Pacific Islands Forum also provided the backdrop for the inauguration of a new weather radar at Tonga’s Fua’amotu International Airport; a new weather app to inform the local population of impending hazards; and a new booklet in the Tongan language to encourage children to become disaster champions These are all in support of the global Early Warnings For All initiative and the Weather Ready Pacific programme.  The new radar is the result of collaboration between New Zealand's Met Service and Tonga's National Meteorological and Hydrological Service and is funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade It will help fill gaps in basic observations and forecasting data and enhance severe weather forecasting in the Pacific a critical step to helping communities prepare for New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Winston Peters Met Service Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hunt Sefanaia Nawadra Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Fekita ‘Utoikamanu Minister for Meteorology Climate Change and Communication were among those attending the ceremony.  is impacted by a multitude of cascading hazards as highlighted by the 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano This unleashed a basin-wide tsunami and sent vast amounts of water vapour into the atmosphere A minor earthquake occurred during the UN Secretary-General's visit to a school “Just as I was talking to children and young people in Tonga today about the importance of disaster preparedness, we experienced an earthquake,” Mr Guterres posted on LinkedIn we were soon informed that there was no threat of a tsunami These tools are vital for so many - in the Pacific and beyond,” he commented A new Tonga Mobile Application for Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Response was launched by Celeste Saulo as part of the drive to promote multi-hazard early warnings The app is a direct response to the volcanic eruption and tsunami of 2022 and the request for assistance by Tonga to WMO and the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Secretariat. Funding was provided through the CREWS Accelerated Support Window to develop the Tonga MACRES application—an essential tool for community-based multi-hazard early warning and response “The development of Tonga MACRES is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Tongan people and tailored to address the unique challenges faced by this island nation,” said Celeste Saulo Tonga MACRES is designed with inclusivity in mind It ensures that warnings and alerts reach a broad audience through prominent visual and accessible features its crowdsourcing capabilities allow communities to provide real-time reports on hazards and damage empowering local decision-makers with valuable the purpose of Tonga MACRES is to save lives By delivering timely and accurate information directly to communities this application will enable proactive measures that protect people and their homes,” said Celeste Saulo.  A new book from WMO and the COPE initiative on disaster champions, in the local Tongan language was released by Mr Guterres during his visit to schoolchildren.  It seeks to enhance children’s understanding of climate change and extreme weather and disaster risk reduction and equip them with the knowledge and skills to reduce risks and respond effectively to disasters.   aiming to increase the disaster resilience of children globally especially those living in less advantaged areas.  The books cover natural hazards ranging from floods to earthquakes and relatable stories in an imaginative way that is easy to understand.  The books have been distributed in 40 countries more than 3 million children have had access to the series.   WMO has been contributing to the COPE initiative in the following aspects:   and contextually sensitive educational approach to disasters that highlight key messages that are easy for children to remember such as EVACUATE for floods or DROP COVER HOLD for earthquakes.   WMO also encourages its Members to use COPE material in formal and informal education about climate change and sustainability.  COPE series are all provided free of charge without any copyright restrictions.    Translations including sign language for disabilities   The inclusion of disabilities and children's rights perspective has been carefully vetted by experts at UNICEF The COPE team creatively integrates sign language across the narratives via an ongoing partnership with the University of Brazil and the use of Brazilian Sign Language.  More details on COPE and disaster champions  Chinese Ambassador to Tonga published an article named “Belt and Road Cooperation Provides a Strong Boost to World Development” in Tongan media outlet “TALANOA ‘O TONGA” to introduce the latest progress and achievements of Belt and Road cooperation Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) marking a milestone in the history of human development Belt and Road international cooperation has gotten off the ground grown rapidly and produced tangible and fruitful outcomes over the last 10 years As the world’s largest program that covers the widest range of international cooperation the BRI has brought win-win results for partner countries provided a strong boost to world development and become an important platform for building a community with a shared future for mankind mechanisms for international cooperation become better structured The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China noted that China will improve the mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative pointing the way forward for elevating Belt and Road cooperation toward higher quality The Secretariat of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was officially established which provided strong support to the Forum’s work over 30 multilateral cooperation platforms was set up in special areas of energy Belt and Road cooperation has been expanded with a greater scope higher cooperation level and stronger international appeal Guided by the principles of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit a good number of signature projects were put into use The China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express was officially launched which marked the official completion of a multidimensional connectivity network integrating highways it will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent The China-Europe Railway Express has run over 100,000 trips in total shipping over 11 million TEUs of goods worth more than USD 420 billion Over 800,000 TEUs of goods were shipped this year through the new western land-sea corridor train service which links 542 ports in 125 countries and regions around the world High-quality Belt and Road cooperation had enabled partner countries to realize and benefit from connectivity with the world written a magnificent chapter in promoting a connected world and charting a path for all to prosper individually and collectively the global trend of green and low-carbon development maintains strong growth momentum The Belt and Road cooperation contributed a lot to green development China has worked with BRI partner countries to launch the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development propose the Green Investment Principles for the BRI and establish the BRI International Green Development Coalition as part of the effort to build platforms for extensive exchange and cooperation on green development and build up international consensus China has also signed 53 South-South cooperation documents on climate change with 42 partner countries rolled out nearly 100 climate mitigation and adaptation projects set up a number of low-carbon demonstration zones and issued ed the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative The Belt and Road cooperation provides experience and pathways for partner countries in their effort to enhance environmental protection tackle climate challenge and implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development the local economy and people’s livelihood of partner countries benefit a lot trade in goods between China and partner countries reached USD 2.31 trillion the renovation of water purification systems and solar power stations have greatly improved local people’s living standards and enhanced their sense of gain China had signed over 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with over 150 countries and 30 international organizations established more than 3,000 cooperation projects galvanized nearly USD 1 trillion of investment and lifted 40 million people out of poverty The BRI brings the hope of development and prosperity to the Global South The friendship between China and the Pacific Island Countries(PICs) goes way back China has signed MOU on BRI cooperation with all of the eleven Pacific Island Countries having diplomatic relations with it Fruitful outcomes have generated under the principle of respecting the PICs’ sovereignty and independence cultural traditions and effort to seek strength through unity China have rolled out close to 500 projects with various kinds of aid to help Pacific Island countries build roads China has made active effort to support Pacific Island countries in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent built new platforms according to their national conditions for climate response and kept exploring new areas for cooperation The BRI cooperation between China and Tonga leaves its footprints everywhere in Tonga Tonga High School Complex Project has become a popular landmark for the locals to visit and take photos Wind turbines stand at Lapaha will promote Tonga’s green energy transition Vaipua Bridge greatly improved traffic and connected people's happy lives in Vava’u The Chinese Medical Team provided free medical services to communities and outer islands agricultural experts shared advanced experience in vegetable planting and poultry breeding without reservation Chinese teachers taught Chinese and promoted traditional Chinese culture which bringing tangible benefits to Tongan people and forging closer bonds between our two peoples Belt and Road cooperation is on the new journey toward next golden decade President Xi Jinping attended the fourth symposium on Belt and Road cooperation and delivered an important speech making comprehensive arrangements for promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the present and coming periods He emphasized that it is imperative to hold high the banner of a human community with a shared future adhere to the principle of "planning together and benefiting together," the philosophy of open people-centered and sustainable cooperation in a bid to create new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability China and PICs need solidarity and cooperation more than ever China will carry out cooperation with Tonga on the basis of equality enhance greater synergy between the BRI and Tonga Strategic Development Framework so as to boost development and revitalization of Tonga and work together for a more promising future of our two countries and two peoples Continued volcanic steam emissions and discolouration around the Home Reef volcano are shown clearly in a Sentinel-2 satellite image on Thursday Tonga Geological Services (TGS) reported today satellite data from MIROVA (figure 1) indicates a persistent moderate-level thermal anomaly at Home Reef “The volcanic activity poses low risk to the Vava'u and Ha'apai communities All mariners are advised to remain at least 2 nautical miles away from Home Reef until further notice.” Tonga Geological Services has maintained daily observations to assess the ongoing situation The maximum dimensions of the island now are approximately 540 meters (north to south) by 440 meters (west to east) "The ongoing lava effusion within the vent and intermittent explosive activity are likely to persist," TGS stated "Monitoring of Home Reef Volcano will continue in the coming weeks to ensure public safety with ongoing assessments to track the volcanic activity and evaluating potential hazards." Home Reef is located 25 km southwest of Late Island 22 km northeast of Lateiki (Metis Shoal) and 75 km northwest of Mo'unga'one island at latitude & longitude 18.992 S & 174.775 W Copyright © Vava'u Press 2025. Permissions apply. Contact the publishers Eos a team of scientists was on a research vessel in the Lau Basin near Tonga to study the animals that live around hydrothermal vents in the deep sea But when they lowered a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) down to a vent to search for the critters “It was like a snow-covered landscape,” said Roxanne Beinart a marine microbial ecologist at the University of Rhode Island who was on the expedition Beinart and her colleagues suspected that they were looking at a coating of ash from the January 2022 eruption of the Hunga volcano one of the most powerful eruptions ever recorded The ashfall had completely transformed the ecosystem The group recognized they now had a rare opportunity to document the effects of a volcanic eruption on marine ecosystems. They’ve published their initial findings in Communications Earth and Environment and intend to track the recovery of these ecosystems through time Get the most fascinating science news stories of the week in your inbox every Friday “This is a real opportunity to understand and to study the impacts of a large eruption—where we understand what happened, where we know the processes, we know the timescales involved—and to understand the impacts on the seafloor,” said Isobel Yeo a volcanologist at the United Kingdom’s National Oceanography Centre who wasn’t involved in the study Over 24 days, the scientists surveyed six hydrothermal vent fields using the ROV and scooped up samples of sediment. Under the microscopes aboard the ship, “you could pretty quickly and easily see that it was just full of glass,” said Shawn Arellano, a marine ecologist at Western Washington University who coauthored the study Fine grains of glass are a telltale characteristic of volcanic ash T-shaped metal rod that the clawed arm of the ROV could hold and added colored markers every 7.6 centimeters (3 inches) They found that the ash was up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) deep at the sites closest to the volcano the ash at one site was still nearly 0.5 meter (2 feet) deep After the eruption, the ash likely dropped from the sky and sank in the water. The researchers think that as it landed and trickled down the volcano’s submerged slopes, it picked up sediment and became denser, causing it to gain speed, like a snow avalanche does on land. The flow was able to “roar into the deep sea,” said Mike Clare a marine geoscientist at the National Oceanography Centre who wasn’t involved in the study The ash had to travel over undulating terrain to reach the hydrothermal vents—a testament to how powerful the currents were “One of the surprises of the study is that despite this irregular seafloor relief the flows have been able to overcome this distance,” Clare said All that ash had a big effect on marine ecosystems The scientists knew of an expedition that had visited the same hydrothermal vent sites in 2019 so they compared the footage from that expedition to the footage from their ROV Some animals such as lobsters and crabs were crawling around on their videos but the snails and mussels they had come to study many of which are endangered or vulnerable species “Those populations were decimated,” Beinart said Beinart and her colleagues suspect the mollusks were the most affected in part because they are less mobile extend strong fibers that attach to a hard surface so they can “pull themselves along like Spiderman,” Arellano said These organisms’ metabolisms also require a symbiotic relationship with bacteria and that relationship requires a lot of oxygen their need for oxygen outpaced their ability to escape from under the ash The researchers will return to the region in 2026 to track the changes to the hydrothermal vent sites “We’re focused on trying to understand the recovery of these systems and the dynamics of how they might cope,” Beinart said Clare noted that scientists know from other regions with volcanic activity that this ecosystem will recover but how quickly that will happen and how it will play out are unknown “Whilst this study is a really valuable and useful one I suspect its value as a baseline will become apparent over the coming decade as we start to revisit and see how the seafloor changes,” he said —Andrew Chapman (@andrew7chapman) An official website of the United States government A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website Share sensitive information only on official Emergency Information for American Citizens Embassy in Nuku’alofa opened a Consular window pilot program marking a significant step in strengthening U.S.-Tonga relations This launch followed the Embassy’s official opening on August 28 in the Kingdom of Tonga The Consular window pilot program will offer essential services to American citizens and extended non-immigrant visa services to all Tonga residents The Consular window will be staffed by the Consular Team from U.S. Embassy Suva on a quarterly visit basis and will only see visa applicants who have made appointments in advance at https://www.usvisascheduling.com/ Department of State Deputy Secretary Kurt M delegation during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting launched the Consular window with a ribbon cutting ceremony and Economic & Political Counselor Brad Coley also participated The event saw representation from the Government of Tonga including the Honorable Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku ‘Ilaisipa ‘Alipate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga The pilot opening of the Consular window underscored the commitment of both nations to fostering closer ties and enhancing services for their citizens and residents FACT SHEET: Following Through on the U.S.-Pacific Islands Partnership 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga August 26-30, 2024 U.S. Embassy Nuku’alofa iotebatuat@state.gov launched the Consular window with the Government of Tonga launched the Consular window with Ambassador Marie C Damour and Tonga’s Honorable Prime 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set callback to be executed when user consent is provided window.addConsentUpdateListener = (callback) => { document.addEventListener("cmplz_fire_categories" var consentedCategories = e.detail.categories; 'personalization_storage': cmplz_in_array( 'preferences' 'analytics_storage': cmplz_in_array( 'statistics' 'ad_user_data': cmplz_in_array( 'marketing' 'ad_personalization': cmplz_in_array( 'marketing' as the TM template needs to be sure it's cmplz_ As climate-induced extreme weather poses heightened risks to Tonga the nation recognizes the pressing need to fortify its warning capabilities to safeguard its population Implementation of the Everbridge Public Warning platform is underway and is expected to be tested in the first part of 2025 “With the Everbridge Cell Broadcast platform we are confident in our ability to provide rapid and targeted warnings to our communities,” said Laitia Fifita Acting Director of Tonga Meteorological Service “This technology will significantly improve our early warning and response capabilities ensuring the People of Tonga safety and minimizing the impact of natural disasters We are grateful for the support of Everbridge in advancing our mission: ‘to monitor and predict changes in the weather ocean and other environmental conditions through governance Tonga is the first project that involves a Small Island Developing State under the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All banner to be funded through the World Bank through the Pacific Resilience Project (PREP)-Tonga Everbridge contracted with the Tonga Meteorological Service under the Ministry of Meteorology Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) In the wake of the devastating volcano and tsunami disaster in January 2022 Tonga initiated the development of MACRES under the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative’s Accelerated Support Window (ASW) As a critical component of this initiative Everbridge Cell Broadcast technology will play a pivotal role in ensuring rapid and widespread dissemination of warnings to communities harnessing Tonga’s widespread mobile phone coverage to facilitate timely responses to hazards and disasters The innovative Everbridge Cell Broadcast technology allows warnings to reach most smartphones without requiring internet data the technology supports two-way communication enabling communities to provide real-time reports facilitating targeted responses from the Tonga Meteorological Services and the National Emergency Management Office “We are proud to partner with Tonga to bolster their early warning capabilities and enhance public safety across the island nation,” said David Wagner “This initiative strengthens Tonga’s response capabilities and supports the United Nations’ call for global early warning system coverage As the global leader in public warning solutions we are committed to helping Tonga protect its citizens and build resilience against climate-induced hazards.” Everbridge provides the public warning technology to power the national alerting systems for countries across the Americas helping to keep people and visitors safe and informed during critical events All Everbridge products are trademarks of Everbridge All other product or company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners Jim GattaMedia Relationsjim.gatta@everbridge.com  215-290-3799 Jeff YoungMedia Relationsjeff.young@everbridge.com781-859-4116 Request a demo or just call us at 888-366-4911 On 15 January 2022, the Hunga Volcano erupted, sending a plume of gas and ash 58 kilometers (36 miles) into the atmosphere and inundating the Tongan islands with tsunami waves and many more were injured in the aftermath of the destructive blast which occurred underwater about 65 kilometers (40 miles) away from Tonga’s capital people reported hearing the massive eruption approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away from the volcano “It was one of the most violent eruptions in historical times—equivalent to about a thousand megatons of TNT,” said Cornel de Ronde In a new study published in Communications Earth and Environment researchers cataloged the sounds of the eruption through an Aotearoa New Zealand–wide online survey The 1,930 responses were consistent with the instrumental data of pressure waves emitted from the volcano as it erupted The survey “showed that information from people’s memories, experiences, and descriptions is still really valuable, even if it’s not capturing a measurement, per se,” said Mary Anne Clive a hazard and risk management scientist also at GNS Science and the lead author of the study Crowdsourcing is an effective way to collect data while involving people in scientific discoveries and natural phenomena occurring around them “We’ve been looking at how we might be able to use crowdsourcing for other hazards and perils that we experience,” Clive said It’s really quite unusual to hear eruption sounds at such far distances We recognized that this could be a rare and interesting set of observations to capture.” Just 6 days after Hunga Tonga erupted and tsunami waves had swamped nearby shores scientists launched a 39-question survey for Aotearoa New Zealand residents that asked them to describe any tsunami waves they had witnessed as well as the booms they heard during the eruption The researchers included questions on the volume of each boom—“moderately loud,” for instance could be correlated to a specific decibel level that could later be compared with acoustic monitoring sensor data Participants all over the country accessed the study through social media posts or from TV and online news sources is the ethics around making sure people are safe and that there’s not going to be any risk of trauma,” Clive said That is why the team of social and Earth scientists waited several days after Hunga’s massive eruption—at the risk of participants’ fading memories possibly changing the results of the survey Researchers reviewed open-access data gathered from 92 meteorological stations, 168 seismometers, 19 acoustic stations, and three Raspberry Shake amateur science seismoacoustic stations across Aotearoa New Zealand for air pressure changes which is a type of large pressure wave caused by the force of the eruption “By analyzing the survey results and the monitoring data together and broader insights about how the pressure waves from this event traversed Aotearoa,” Clive said The massive scale of the Hunga volcanic eruption, as well as the force at which gases and water were hurled into the atmosphere, was the cause of the booms that so many people heard and experienced like breaking the sound barrier,” said de Ronde The survey results showed 69% of participants recalled hearing the first booms between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m The acoustic sensors on the North Island recorded the Lamb wave at approximately 7:00 p.m Observations and memories of the sounds correlated with what pressure sensors and seismometers said about the timing of vibrations in the ground and in the air across Aotearoa New Zealand The loudness and number of booms people heard were consistent with what the amateur seismoacoustic instruments recorded study participants reported hearing five to seven booms across both islands which is consistent with data captured on seismometers and pressure sensors The booms were described as “moderate” on average which is similar to the sound of a car driving past at 100 kilometers per hour “I would liken the sound to someone picking up the end of their sofa and dropping it from head height onto the floor,” one participant described “It sounded like something hit the roof,” read another Other sound descriptors in participants’ comments included gunshots By asking study participants to detail the noises they heard “we hoped to get a better understanding of the characteristics of the audible component of the acoustic wave,” Clive said like the rolling sounds many participants mentioned could also be matched with the variable frequencies recorded in the seismic data Most volcano monitoring equipment filters out audible-range frequencies because they can create noise in the data that can obscure some volcanic signals “Our findings show that people’s observations can help expand the acoustic monitoring record to fill this gap,” Clive said “This paper showcases the critical role of crowdsourced experiences and how it can answer important questions of scientific interest,” said Sara McBride “It’s a fantastic example of how quickly researchers worked together to gather these stories and experiences to inform and expand our understanding regarding this eruption.” Even though seismic monitors can provide raw data about events, connecting them with stories and shared experiences can add a human perspective to the record of the largest volcanic eruption in modern history —Rebecca Owen (@beccapox) Australia is Tonga’s largest aid partner but on the ground in the capital Nuku’alofa it certainly doesn’t feel that way “China Aid” logos adorn trucks and public buildings A trip from the airport to the central business district passes two major China Aid funded infrastructure projects – a stadium for Tonga High School, handed over last week and an upgrade to the Royal Family’s tomb complex Chinese flags fly on high poles from behind the temporary walls that surrounding both construction sites The projects broke ground with fanfare in early 2024 and are fully funded by China’s government Oversized ceremonial keys marked the hand over with bright ribbons cut in front of Tonga’s Royal family and political elite The combined costs for the two multi-year projects are estimated at US$70 million – no small sum for a country with an annual GDP of US$460 million Yet even with the high price tags of recent projects China’s annual aid spending invariably falls short of support from Australia. But rather than flag draped infrastructure, Australia has largely funded reform programs health systems support and capacity building The different approaches to aid have led to a gap in visibility and in turn public perceptions of the respective development partners China’s choice of projects in part reflects its strengths cheap labour and a fleet of easily subsidised state-owned construction companies the conspicuousness of China’s aid in Tonga both in its project selection and the pageantry it employs also speaks to an enduring element of Beijing’s aid strategy – high project visibility Increased geopolitical tension is continually dragging focus away from development outcomes to strategic ones Heavy branding of projects is its own communication strategy What better way to demonstrate partnership than by printing your flag on the side of a major piece of public infrastructure Even better is the billboard-like function of a multi-year construction site Many Australian officials cringe at this kind of heavily branded aid Yet China Aid shows no timidness in heavily marketing its works – and to good effect. Polling by the Tonga Tertiary Institute showed that Tongans rank China above Australia when asked who is Tonga’s “best friend in the world” best interpreted as the public’s view of who is the government’s closest partner Pacific sociologist Steven Ratuva, argues that China’s deployment of political symbolism is more attuned to Pacific practices of “visibility” and “loudness” – culturally comfortable demonstrations of patronage common across much of the Pacific how this translates into influence is less clear Public opinion has to matter to political elites for it to impact decision making China’s project “loudness” appears similarly attuned Some of these Royal-adjacent projects, while coming from China’s aid agency, have dubious development credentials. It is certainly hard to see the development impetus behind trucks for Tongan princesses or music halls for His Majesty’s Armed Forces Who exactly is sharing in the prosperity here But these projects are nonetheless effective in strengthening the China-Tonga relationship. China’s embassy officials extend their popularity at the grassroots level with a high volume of small grants typically in response to requests from local leaders Many Tongan politicians are frank about this dynamic saying that the Chinese embassy offers quick and politically helpful solutions to funding gaps Australia conversely is associated with high project quality Australian officials working in the Pacific often express frustration that the aid program is not delivering expected political dividends a common question asked by Pacific officials is “where does the money go?” Low visibility aid explains part of this dynamic but the pressures behind the aid performance frustration speaks to broader issues obscures the view of what a successful aid program looks like While Australia provides extensive technical and policy-based support this type of assistance lacks the “visibility” and “loudness” that China’s high-profile projects generate Australia’s is also comparatively constrained Domestic accountability and transparency requirements for Australian officials are vastly different to those constraining Chinese counterparts Ultimately Australia doesn’t need to emulate China’s aid model to be more competitive A solution lies in adjusting its aid mix around harder outputs and projects with clear Building sports stadiums might not be the answer The Interpreter features in-depth analysis & expert commentary on the latest international events, published daily by the Lowy Institute A 74-year-old man was found dead at his residence in Masilamea Tongatapu  on Thursday 1 May Tonga Police said today that acting on a report Police attended the scene and confirmed the death at his home He was last seen by neighbours the week before "Vaiola Hospital confirmed that the deceased had passed more than 48 hours prior to discovery Tonga Police received the medical report confirming the cause of death was cardiac arrest." The body of the deceased was released to his family for burial Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni speaks at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Nuku’alofa New Zealand (AP) — Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament on Monday ahead of a planned no-confidence vote in his leadership capping a period of fraught relations between his government and Tonga’s king did not specify a reason for his departure but his resignation halted the no-confidence motion expected on Monday It was not immediately clear who would succeed him His resignation comes less than a year before a national election in Tonga a South Pacific island nation of 105,000 people and it highlighted the occasional tensions between Tonga’s monarchy and elected lawmakers in a still-young democracy after reforms that transferred powers from the royal family and nobles to regular citizens in 2010 A statement on the Tongan Parliament Facebook page said Sovaleni quit “for the good of the country and moving Tonga forward.” Video from Tonga’s parliament on Monday showed the leader making brief and emotional remarks in Tongan before the no-confidence vote was scheduled to take place Sovaleni’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment His leadership had survived a previous no-confidence vote in September 2023 Sovaleni’s tenure was marked by difficult relations with Tonga’s head of state Although the sovereign’s predecessor ceded power voluntarily in the 2010 democratic reforms Tupou VI retains powers to dissolve parliament The king at times made his dissatisfaction with Sovaleni apparent including by withdrawing confidence in him as defense minister in February Some lawmakers at first decried the king’s pressure on Sovaleni and his foreign minister as unconstitutional but both eventually resigned their posts in April — although Sovaleni remained prime minister Sovaleni did not signal a particular reason for his departure Asked whether his decision was prompted by disagreements with the king Sovaleni said that “differences in views” were normal “I’m not sure whether that’s the reason,” he said adding that he still did not know why he and Tonga’s foreign minister had lost the king’s confidence earlier this year “But we still provide respect to his majesty,” Sovaleni told RNZ His successor will be selected by Tonga’s 26 lawmakers in a vote The parliament is made up of 17 lawmakers elected by the public and nine who are nobles A former senior public servant who also worked in the private sector before entering politics Sovaleni is the son of a former Tongan deputy prime minister He attended high school in New Zealand and studied at the University of Oxford and the University of the South Pacific attaining master’s degrees in computer science and business Twenty-two new dengue fever cases were reported with positive rapid tests today bringing up the total cumulative of dengue fever cases to 647 A total of six cases are currently hospitalized with four in Vaiola hospital and two in Prince Ngu hospital "They are all in stable condition," Minisntry of Health (MoH) stated today Three dengue-related deaths have been reported to date The age group mostly affected is 10-19 years old and the youngest age affected is a two months old baby Dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) is the responsible virus for this current outbreak in Tonga The Ministry of Health is conducting case investigatiosn and vector control to hot spots and high risk areas There is also ongoing support from the people and communities as well as the continuous technical supports from WHO and UNICEF "Continue to clean up and destroy mosquito breeding sites around the home and schools watch out for severe symptoms and seek medical attention immediately," the MoH advises bleeding gums and vomiting blood require immediate medical attention." Copyright © Vava'u Press 2025. Permissions apply. Contact the publishers. A young Tongan missionary from Utah died Thursday after a car veered onto a sidewalk and struck him while he was walking with two companions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed. Elder Aleki Langi, 18, of Magna, Utah, was killed in the accident. A second missionary sustained minor injuries, while a third was unharmed, said church spokesman Sam Penrod in a statement. The driver of the vehicle apparently lost control before hitting the missionaries, Penrod said. Authorities are investigating the incident. “We extend our deepest condolences and love to Elder Langi’s family, friends, and fellow missionaries during this difficult time,” Penrod said. “We pray that they will each feel the Saviour’s comfort and peace as they mourn his passing and honour his dedicated missionary service.” Elder Langi, a member of the Magna 2nd Ward in the Salt Lake Utah West Stake, had served in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission since March. He was temporarily reassigned there while awaiting a visa for his original assignment to the Jamaica Kingston Mission. Friends and community members in Magna remembered Langi as a devoted young man with a strong faith and a desire to serve others. His family, of Tongan descent, has been active in their local congregation, where Langi was well-loved. The Church supports Langi’s family and his missionary companions as they grieve the sudden loss. Funeral arrangements are pending. It struck more than 2,000 miles off of Australia's east coast I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A strong 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga The US Geological Survey said the quake hit about 62 miles north-east of the main island in the early morning hours of Monday local time The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii issued an alert saying hazardous waves could be possible but later said there was no longer a tsunami threat Tsunami sirens could be heard after the 1.18am quake urging residents to move inland according to the Talanoa o Tonga news site Residents in the Ha'apai island group had calmly moved to higher ground Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with a population of a little more than 100,000 people It is more than 3,500 kilometers (2,000 miles) off of Australia's east coast Sunday’s earthquake follows the 7.7 magnitude quake that struck central Myanmar on Friday and also sent powerful jolts into neighbouring China and Thailand At least 1,700 people have been confirmed dead in Myanmar alone 3,400 were injured and over 300 remained missing the military-run government said on Sunday as they continued to assess the full extent of the disaster The earthquake was the biggest to hit Myanmar since 1912 and has devastated civilian infrastructure including the main highway running up the spine of the country Many of the worst-hit areas have still not been reached by official agencies with most rescue efforts being conducted by local residents removing rubble by hand The earthquake on Friday forced the junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing to issue a rare appeal for international aid and the military has allowed foreign governments to send their own aid workers into the country for the first time since the 2021 coup. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Schoeberl et al. examined how Hunga’s eruption affected climate in the Southern Hemisphere over the following 2 years They found that in the year following the eruption the cooling effect from the volcanic aerosols reflecting sunlight into outer space was stronger than the warming caused by water vapors trapping heat in the atmosphere But most of the volcano’s effects had dissipated by the end of 2023 The researchers used satellite data to examine how stratospheric aerosols, gases, and temperatures changed after the eruption. The Hunga eruption contributed about 150 metric megatons of water vapor into the stratosphere—an amount so high that it raised global levels of stratospheric water vapor by about 10% This massive water injection cooled temperatures in the tropical stratosphere by 4°C in March and April of 2022 this temporary cooling created a secondary circulation pattern that led to reduced ozone levels throughout 2022 which released about 20 metric megatons of sulfur dioxide and its effects were mostly confined to the Southern Hemisphere in 2022 and 2023 —Rebecca Owen (@beccapox) Science Writer urging swift reform of the Security Council stated that the organ must include “non-traditional security issues like climate change” in its agenda and that it must hear the voices of small island developing States. Further we must take a hard look at the lagging progress in achieving sustainable development by 2030” he underscored — that goal “will be just words and we will have further eroded people’s trust and hopes”. He added:  “The key is not words the key is our shared commitment to action.” Recalling that a recent gathering of Pacific Islands Forum leaders witnessed torrential rains flash flooding and a magnitude 6.9 earthquake “that struck Nuku’alofa on the first day of the meeting” he stressed that this was “yet another stark reminder of our vulnerability to natural disasters” “The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals report before us is grim,” he went on to observe and “reveals what we see every day on the ground” escalating inequality and persistent conflict compounds challenges leaving many countries struggling to meet even the most fundamental goals. “Without urgent and coordinated global action the vision of a more equitable and sustainable world may remain just another elusive dream,” he stressed  Recalling that his country — “decade after decade year after year” — warns the Assembly of climate change’s existential threat to the Pacific he urged the international community — “once again” — to restrict global warming to 1.5°C. Industrialized nations must strengthen their emissions-reduction commitments and Pacific Island nations must be able to access climate finance speedily and easily  While cyclones and typhoons leave behind destruction that takes years to repair The most alarming aspect of the climate crisis sea levels have risen by 10 to 15 centimetres in the past 30 years,” he noted — more than double the global average. For Pacific nations these changes are not merely environmental issues; they are existential threats that jeopardize the very existence of small Pacific Island countries — including Tonga he pointed out:  “This is not just about losing land it is about our very identities.”  Urging immediate action he said that the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2023 declaration on the continuity of Statehood asserts the continued existence of Forum members’ Statehood rights and duties and “underscores our determination to safeguard both the territorial and human dimensions of our States under international law”  He therefore called for global cooperation to achieve the declaration’s objectives in line with the principles of fairness Also spotlighting the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for small island developing States he said that this is “our collective vision for sustainable growth and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges”. However reforming the international financial architecture will be crucial to support this new programme of action and such reform must include redefining eligibility for development resources improving access to climate finance and creating long-term debt sustainability  Concluding — “allow me to close the circle” and return to the theme of “leaving no one behind” — he said that this aspiration must guide international efforts to eradicate poverty end discrimination and uphold the fundamental rights of individuals  He urged: “The advancement of one community or nation cannot occur in isolation from the well-being of others.” we present to this esteemed body the existential threat that climate change poses to the Pacific but this year the situation is even more dire we are teetering on the brink of a climate catastrophe,” he declared Pointing to the report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) that confirmed 2023 as the hottest year on record he added that sea-level rise in the South-West Pacific is significantly exceeding the global average reaching as high as 15 centimetres in some areas over the past 30 years and forcing families to abandon their ancestral homes “this is not just about losing land – it is about our very identities these changes are not merely environmental issues; they are existential threats that jeopardize the very existence of Small Pacific Island countries Listen to and download the full statement in mp3 format UN PhotoPrevious sessionsAccess the statements from previous sessions Tonga Trade: Building Back Stronger from Emergencies and Preparing for the Future World Bank Trade Facilitation Support Program World Bank Trade World Bank Pacific Islands Cultivating Change in Zambia STAY CURRENT WITH OUR LATEST DATA & INSIGHTS This site uses cookies to optimize functionality and give you the best possible experience. 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To learn more about cookies, click here Widely thought to be a factor in Earth's extreme warmth during the past two years researchers say the event actually cooled the climate pictured during its eruption on January 14-15 New research from a collaborative team featuring Texas A&M University atmospheric scientist Dr. Andrew Dessler is exploring the climate impact of the 2022 Tonga volcano eruption and challenging existing assumptions about its effects in the process The remarkable two-day event which occurred in mid-January 2022, injected vast amounts of volcanic aerosols and water vapor into the atmosphere large volcanic eruptions like Tambora in 1815 and Mt Pinatubo in 1991 have led to significant cooling effects on the global climate by blocking sunlight with their aerosols Hunga Tonga’s eruption presented a unique scenario: As a submarine volcano it introduced an unprecedented amount of water vapor into the stratosphere increasing total stratospheric water content by about 10% Because water vapor is a powerful greenhouse gas, Dessler says there was initial speculation that it might account for the extreme global warmth in 2023 and 2024. Instead, the results of the team’s research, published Wednesday (July 24) in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres reveal the opposite: The eruption actually contributed to cooling the Earth Their methodology involved analyzing NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite data observations of aerosols and water vapor to estimate the energy balance of the Earth’s climate system Their analysis revealed that the eruption resulted in more energy leaving the climate system than entering it thereby inducing the slight cooling effect “Our paper pours cold water on the explanation that the eruption caused the extreme warmth of 2023 and 2024,” Dessler explained we need to focus primarily on greenhouse gases from human activities as the main cause of the warming with a big assist from the ongoing El Nino.” this research has important implications for both scientists and the general public By dismissing the volcanic eruption as a major factor in the recent warming the team’s study reinforces his point that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of climate change given the ongoing debate and misinformation about the causes of global warming Schoeberl says the study underscores the importance of continued investment in satellite-based stratospheric measurements “Our understanding of the Hunga Tonga eruption is largely thanks to the investment in stratospheric satellite measurements by NOAA and NASA over the past two decades,” Schoeberl added we need to be cautious about a potential ‘stratospheric data desert,’ as some of the most critical instruments are not being replaced.” While this paper answers several important questions Dessler acknowledges that it simultaneously introduces new ones the researchers highlighted some unresolved issues related to the Hunga Tonga eruption such as the unexpectedly low levels of sulfur dioxide produced by such a violent eruption and the minimal impact the eruption had on the 2023 ozone hole The 2023 ozone hole refers to a significant thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica which allows more harmful UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface the persistence of water vapor in the stratosphere beyond what was predicted by models suggests that there is still much to learn about stratospheric circulation processes As scientists work to resolve ongoing questions and deepen our understanding of the stratosphere, Schoeberl says the team’s work highlights the critical need for continued research and precise data to tackle the challenges of climate change Texas A&M University College of Arts and Sciences a junior communication major and native of Odessa will lead the university's official spirit ambassadors Department of Chemistry doctoral student Evan Fox is pioneering research on sustainable battery materials that could reduce reliance on traditional resources and power the future of energy storage Faculty are honored nationally as "rising stars" for fostering innovation while educating and mentoring future inventors watch videos and discover how Texas A&M University is shaping an innovative more secure future for the citizens of Texas and the world Researchers say that the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai (HTHH) volcanic eruption: Volcanoes erupting underwater have a distinctive effect on the climate that is larger and more widespread than previously thought according to an international group led by University of Auckland and Tongan scientists Research on Tonga’s devastating 2022 Hunga (HTHH) eruption has just been published in the journal Nature Geoscience “Submarine volcanism has previously been overlooked in global climate studies because there is typically not much atmospheric sulphur dioxide released,” says Professor Shane Cronin a co-lead author of the study with postdoctoral fellow Dr Jie Wu while sulphur dioxide can lead to significant climate effects At its peak Hunga’s eruption injected up to 3 billion tonnes of steam into the atmosphere in a single hour with the water vapour reaching the stratosphere and even the mesosphere more than 57 km up “The eruption has been shown by several recently published studies to have cooled the Southern Hemisphere and cause a range of other atmospheric and climate impacts that we are still discovering,” he adds Hunga had the potential for a global impact from sulphur dioxide The team estimates up to 20 million tonnes of it was released during the eruption most of the sulphur went directly into seawater at depths between 300m and 1100m "The unusual feature of this huge volcano-climate impact from Hunga is that it was not caused by sulphur – like for other major events in the past (e.g. the second-highest eruption plume ever measured) "The Hunga eruption was under the sea throughout the entire 11 hour event This meant that hot magma interacted with seawater and almost all of the 20 million tonnes of sulphur released by the eruption went into the ocean "The submarine explosions may have shielded us from the effects of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere but it had an unforeseen impact of turning huge amounts of sea-water into steam (up to a few billion tonnes) This steam rapidly rose above the volcano and drove the eruption plume to its record heights The wet-plume hydrated the upper atmosphere causing a range of climatic impacts that are still being studied world wide." is Professor of Volcanology at the School of Environment at Waipapa Taumata Rau while Wu is now based at the University of Otago University of Auckland and staff and students have been working with Tongan partners to understand the wider implications of submarine volcanism in the Southwestern Pacific in the aftermath of Hunga the largest eruption witnessed in the modern era Tongan scientists Folauhola Latu’ila and Taaniela Kula of Tonga Geological Services also worked on the research “We are striving to understand the broader hazards of submarine volcanism including tsunami and damage to shorelines and internet data cables as well as how these eruptions affect our environment and climate,” says Cronin The work is supported by an MBIE Endeavor Research Programme grant from 2024 The research Paper was published in Nature Geoscience This research is financially supported by New Zealand Government Ministry of Business (Innovation and Employment Endeavour Research Program UOA24103) Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi (Marsden project MFP-UOO2218) Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Australian Synchrotron and the New Zealand Synchrotron Group (project M18638) the Korean Polar Research Institute (project PE22550) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (for D.G.-G.) Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Post Courier PAPUA New Guinea were too good for hosts Tonga winning 5-2 in their opening match on Saturday at the Teufaiva Stadium during the OFC U16 Championship Qualifiers Albhan Rani and Peter Yagum gave PNG a two-goal lead inside the first 13 minutes of the match before nudging the ball home with his left foot While Yagum (13’) followed with their second goal six minutes later after a free kick from skipper Leighton Enoch was fumbled by the Tonga goalkeeper Tonga also had two opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count before Yagum nailed their fifth goal in a first-half blitz PNG struggled to maintain the same momentum with the hosts two goals Head Coach Matthew Witu gave credit to the players for working hard to earn the victory It was sweet revenge for PNG who had lost 7-0 last year to Tonga PNG will play American Samoa tomorrow at 10am Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Lord Tu’iha’angana Minister of Tourism and Justice Hon.Moʻale Finau and MP Hon.Veivosa Taka attended the handover ceremony for barge boat donated by Dongguan which was held at Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Wharf in Tonga Ambassador Liu Weimin said that this donation not only serves as a vivid testament of China’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of the Tongan people but also injects strong vitality into the development of sister-city relations between Dongguan and Ha’apai The Chinese side attaches great importance to develop friendly relations with Tonga and stands ready to work this Tonga to strengthen local exchanges and cooperation assist Tonga’s economic and social progress Pita Taufatofua expressed his heartfelt gratitude for China’s generous assistance noting that the barge boat will significantly enhance transport capacity in Ha’apai region He looked forward to further strengthening sister-city ties with Dongguan Hon.Moʻale Finau expressed hope for continued bilateral cooperation to achieve mutual development and welcomed more visits from Dongguan to Ha’apai What would inspire you to sell up your old life and move thousands of miles away to a small country you’d only previously spent two weeks in He was taking a break from working on his laptop when he spotted the advert It was an appeal from the Tongan Football Association asking for players before qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup wanting a change but not sure what it could be They had talked about leaving the country and wanting to raise their three children somewhere other than the United States the possibilities started flying around his head and excitement rose the Tonga football association has said they’re looking for players’,” Maikeli tells The Athletic and he was invited to Tonga for a two-week trial it started to feel more real for Maikeli and she immediately started crying,” says Maikeli Maikeli went out to Tonga in the first week of July and the trial turned into an invitation to join the squad where they had temporarily moved after selling their business “I don’t think it really sank in until we were coming,” Cassidy says and the next thing I knew I had three kids in line at TSA and… it was not a joke.” A post shared by Maikeli Lomu (@maikeli_lomu) Maikeli has never played at a professional or semi-professional level before He played to a good standard at high school and was awarded a scholarship to play at college he served on a religious mission (he’s a member of the Church of the Latter-day Saints) and couldn’t get his scholarship deferred he just played at a reasonable amateur level So why would Tonga want someone with such a relatively modest playing experience The short answer is that they struggle for players and that hoovers up most of the athletic talent On an island where the population is around 100,000 Things look a little brighter in the future: football is becoming more and more popular in schools so in theory there will be more players in a few years The current squad has one professional: Australia-born winger Ata ‘AJ’ Inia who plays for Thai second-tier side Chanthaburi It has been a difficult few years for soccer in Tonga The men’s team went four years without playing a game between 2019 and 2023 due to Covid-19 and the eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai a submarine volcano near Tonga’s main island forcing them to withdraw from 2022 World Cup qualification That gap of games caused them to briefly be dropped from FIFA’s rankings partly helped by a series of initiatives from the world’s governing body (including a visit from Gianni Infantino last year) It’s a slight exaggeration to say that the Lomus got rid of all their worldly goods specifically to move to Tonga They had already sold their pottery studio back in Utah because they had decided they needed something new they accelerated this process: their car went then clothes and a bunch of other possessions that they couldn’t take with them So this opportunity came at the perfect time As much as moving to a tiny country in the middle of the Pacific to pursue a slightly speculative dream of playing in World Cup qualifiers can be perfect It’s also worth noting that while they have spent some time in Tonga before Slightly different to staying with relatives even if those relatives have been very welcoming when I ask if they’re naturally impulsive people we’ve moved across the world — it’s stuff a lot of people wouldn’t even do but I think we’re humble enough to know when we’ve failed and we ask for help.” Every time I ask Maikeli a question that emphasises how big “Yeahhh,” as if we’re talking about moving six miles away he has offered Cassidy several opportunities to veto the whole thing “I definitely didn’t back out,” Cassidy says He had already put himself out there so there’s no way I could’ve taken that away from him I confess I wasn’t entirely convinced about how ‘on board’ Cassidy was But after speaking to her one-on-one a couple of weeks later it’s clear that she is embracing the adventure Maikeli would go through the struggle for her Cassidy loaded down with luggage and three children — “I channelled my inner ox,” she says — although she was helped by her friend There have also been a few encounters with local wildlife that have caused pause for thought “I did tell him twice today to buy me a plane ticket because I want to go home: there was a giant spider in the shower last night One of the problems on the football front has been equipment and There isn’t a huge amount of money flying around at the Tongan FA but it does at least have one pretty good training facility with five pitches decent changing rooms and sleeping quarters for players dummies and even balls have to be shared by the senior teams and the juniors If someone further up the food chain gets there first Boots are also a problem: the senior team all have their own held together with tape and Maikeli saw one player running across the training pitches to borrow boots from his brother The Lomus tried to help out: they got details of the players that needed new boots and their sizes and they were planning to put out an appeal to see if anyone could help Cassidy’s sister and her husband bought all of the boots and she brought them over from America They literally have buy-in from the whole family Speaking of family: what of the other three people involved in this caper — Maikeli and Cassidy’s daughters four and six that moving away from home and to an island thousands of miles away is a good idea “We told them they were going to live on the same island as Moana,” says Cassidy There was also the appeal of plenty of new cousins to play with plus a pre-move trip to Disneyland to sweeten the deal “I don’t think some of the players realise how insane it is to have the opportunity to play in a World Cup qualifier,” says Cassidy ‘You’ll never make it to the World Cup’ — but they could.” It feels churlish to point out how much of a long shot it is for Tonga to reach the finals in Canada so not exactly competing with world-beaters but they must get through a mini pre-qualifying tournament to even reach the group stage of the qualifiers — they face the Cook Islands in a single-game tie tomorrow (Thursday) If they win they play American Samoa or Samoa It will be extraordinary if Tonga even make it to the group, where they would compete with New Zealand, Tahiti and Vanuatu The elephant in the room for the Lomus: what if things don’t go to plan What if the whole football thing doesn’t pan out Maikeli played in the pre-qualifying friendlies against local clubs in Samoa “I’m not necessarily banking on being a professional player I am trying to earn some income on social media if I can I have a couple of qualifications in teaching so I could get a job here that would set my family up pretty OK.” Cassidy also has a few plans to make money: teaching pottery (she brought a wheel and when we spoke had just acquired some clay) and maybe selling tacos at the booth the wider Lomu family has at a local market They are loosely planning to give their new life until at least Christmas but they also know that they could leave pretty much whenever they want “I’d be perfectly fine if we don’t like it here and move back to Texas,” says Maikeli “We’d be starting in the same place that we are right now I would have had this amazing experience that I would never have imagined I would have I’d love to build a house and be able to come and go from the island as much as I want Cassidy adds: “We did say that we’ll stay here as long as it works and as soon as it stops working we’ll go back to Texas.” The interesting thing is that ‘working’ does not necessarily seem to equal Maikeli establishing himself in the Tonga team but he doesn’t have designs on becoming a professional Playing one game for Tonga sounds like it would be enough “I think anything that I’ve done already is an accomplishment for me six months ago,” he says “I never thought I would have a chance of playing a game in a FIFA-regulated situation Playing one game would be a dream come true but the life I get to live afterwards is the cherry on top “If I get to live my life in the place that my family comes from Everything I’ve done so far has been like a dream come true.” New Caledonia - the Pacific paradise that became a football talent factory (Top photos: Maikeli Lomu and the Tongan FA) Nick Miller is a football writer for the Athletic and the Totally Football Show. He previously worked as a freelancer for the Guardian, ESPN and Eurosport, plus anyone else who would have him. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickMiller79