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The 2009 Tonga undersea volcanic eruption refers to ongoing volcanic activity that began on March 16, 2009, near the island of Hunga Tonga, approximately 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the Tongan capital of Tongatapu. The volcano is in a highly volcanic region that lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is estimated that there are up to 36 undersea volcanoes clustered together in the area.

Eruption history

The initial March 16–17 eruption sent ash and smoke up to 20 kilometres (12 mi) into the atmosphere and an initial inspection reported that the volcano has breached the ocean surface. Authorities suggested at that time that the eruption did not yet pose any threat to the capital's population, and an inspection team was sent out to evaluate the volcano.

Between March 18–20, a number off Surtseyan eruption sent ash plumes as high as 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to 5.2 kilometres (3.2 mi) into the atmosphere, with prevailing winds pushing the ash cloud about 480 kilometres (300 mi) east-northeast of the eruption site and widespread and significant haze reported at Vavaʻu 255 kilometres (158 mi) away. Steam plumes on March 20 were measured at 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) above sea level. But on March 21, an eruption sent steam and ash just 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) into the sky. On March 21, Tonga's chief geologist, Kelepi Mafi reported, lava and ash from two vents, one on the uninhabited island Hunga Haʻapai and another about 100 metres (330 feet) offshore, had filled the gap between the two vents, creating new land surface that measured hundreds of square metres. The eruption devastated Hunga Haʻapai, covering it in black ash and stripping it of vegetation and fauna.[10] Latest news: 30-SEP-2009 17:47:17 -15.45 -173.38 5.2 10.0 TONGA ISLANDS Magnitude 5.2 - TONGA

Earthquake, 19 March 2009

Date 19 March 2009
Magnitude 7.6 Mw
Depth 34 kilometres (21 mi)[13]
Epicenter location 23.050°S 174.668°W[13]
Countries or regions affected Tonga

Four days after the start of the eruption a strong earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale also struck the region. As of yet there has been no confirmation of a direct link between the volcanic eruption and earthquake, though Ken Hudnut, a geophysicist for the United States Geological Survey, stated that "The association with the volcanic activity seems to be an interesting added dimension to this. It's not clear at this point that there is a direct association, but it seems suggestive at this point.". Keleti Mafi, the Tongan government's chief seismologist, has also suggested that the earthquake is likely to have a direct impact on the volcanic eruption, stating that the "strength of the earthquake could crack the volcano's (undersea) vent and allow more magma to be ejected".

to the pix!

An undersea volcano erupts off the coast of Tonga, sending plumes of steam, ash and smoke up to 100 meters into the air, on March 18, 2009, off the coast of Nuku'Alofa, Tonga. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

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An undersea volcano erupts off the coast of Tonga, tossing clouds of smoke, steam and ash thousands of meters into the sky above the South Pacific ocean, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The eruption was at sea about 10 kilometers from the southwest coast of the main island of Tongatapu, an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered. (AP Photo/Trevor Gregory)

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First in a series of undersea volcano eruption photos off the coast of Tonga, taken March 18th by photographer Dana Stephenson. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

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Second in a series of undersea volcano eruption photos off the coast of Tonga, taken March 18th by photographer Dana Stephenson. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

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Third in a series of undersea volcano eruption photos off the coast of Tonga, taken March 18th by photographer Dana Stephenson. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

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Fourth in a series of undersea volcano eruption photos off the coast of Tonga, taken March 18th by photographer Dana Stephenson. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

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Fifth in a series of undersea volcano eruption photos off the coast of Tonga, taken March 18th by photographer Dana Stephenson. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

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Sixth in a series of undersea volcano eruption photos off the coast of Tonga, taken March 18th by photographer Dana Stephenson. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)

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An undersea volcano erupts about 10 kilometers off the Tongatapu coast of Tonga sending plumes of steam and smoke hundreds of meters into the air. (LOTHAR SLABON/AFP/Getty Images)

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An undersea volcano erupts off the coast of Tonga on March 18, 2009. (Dana Stephenson/Getty Images)