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Scientists visit active Tongan volcano
Source: Agencies |
March 20, 2009, Friday
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Scientists sailed yesterday to inspect an undersea volcano that has been erupting for days near Tonga - shooting smoke, steam and ash thousands of meters above the South Pacific ocean.
Authorities said yesterday the eruption does not pose any danger to islanders at this stage, and there have been no reports of fish or other animals being affected.
Spectacular columns are spewing out of the sea about 10 kilometers off the southwest coast of the main island of Tongatapu ?? an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered, geologists said.
Trade winds continued to blow gas and steam away from the island yesterday.
Tonga's police deputy commander Taniela Faletau said coastal villages close to the site were not yet at risk.
He said he was waiting for the government team of officials and scientists to survey the area and report on their observations before taking any action.
Coastal residents said the steam and ash column first appeared on Monday morning after a series of sharp earthquakes were felt in the capital, Nuku'alofa.
Tonga, a 170-island archipelago about halfway between Australia and Tahiti, is part of the Pacific "ring of fire" - an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching from Chile in South America through Alaska and down through Vanuatu to Tonga.
Authorities said yesterday the eruption does not pose any danger to islanders at this stage, and there have been no reports of fish or other animals being affected.
Spectacular columns are spewing out of the sea about 10 kilometers off the southwest coast of the main island of Tongatapu ?? an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered, geologists said.
Trade winds continued to blow gas and steam away from the island yesterday.
Tonga's police deputy commander Taniela Faletau said coastal villages close to the site were not yet at risk.
He said he was waiting for the government team of officials and scientists to survey the area and report on their observations before taking any action.
Coastal residents said the steam and ash column first appeared on Monday morning after a series of sharp earthquakes were felt in the capital, Nuku'alofa.
Tonga, a 170-island archipelago about halfway between Australia and Tahiti, is part of the Pacific "ring of fire" - an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching from Chile in South America through Alaska and down through Vanuatu to Tonga.
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