The New York Times
March 19, 2009, 4:53 pm
Andrew C. Revkin
A tsunami was generated after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck at 2:17 p.m. Eastern time beneath the sea near the volcanic eruption in waters near Tonga. A tsunami alert for areas outside the immediate region was canceled six minutes after an initial bulletin was issued.
The alert, issued by the international organization that was greatly bolstered following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, said that tidal gauges confirmed that a tsunami was generated. The quake caused a stir in Tonga, but it’s not clear yet whether any resulting waves caused coastal damage or injuries. (Updates coming.) Wire services had reported earlier today that scientists were heading toward the volcano to do surveys. The eruption had been building for several days.
Radio Tonga posted an interview Wednesday with Kelepi Mafi, the government’s chief geologist, saying the eruption could signal the (re)birth of an island that had risen above the sea surface in 2002 but then sank again.
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/tongan-eruption-quake-tsunami/?ref=science
March 19, 2009, 4:53 pm
Andrew C. Revkin
A tsunami was generated after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck at 2:17 p.m. Eastern time beneath the sea near the volcanic eruption in waters near Tonga. A tsunami alert for areas outside the immediate region was canceled six minutes after an initial bulletin was issued.
The alert, issued by the international organization that was greatly bolstered following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, said that tidal gauges confirmed that a tsunami was generated. The quake caused a stir in Tonga, but it’s not clear yet whether any resulting waves caused coastal damage or injuries. (Updates coming.) Wire services had reported earlier today that scientists were heading toward the volcano to do surveys. The eruption had been building for several days.
Radio Tonga posted an interview Wednesday with Kelepi Mafi, the government’s chief geologist, saying the eruption could signal the (re)birth of an island that had risen above the sea surface in 2002 but then sank again.
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/tongan-eruption-quake-tsunami/?ref=science
