Tonga Volcano.. terrifying 4' tidal wave hits Nuku'Alofa!

[meirriba]

The danger of a tsunami is based mainly on wave length not only height.
Normal sea swell coming ashore have negligible length comared to the length of tsunami wave, which will hit the shore and continue pushing water onshore for a long oeriod of time. These waters pushed from behind will swamp huge areas of low laying land.

[rmesfo]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

The coastline of Tongatapu where it hit is basically sea level for a long way in shore. For those who live along that shore, generally the poorer people, I presume being inundated is going to cause some hardships since the homes are flooded and gardens awash with salt. The videos I saw look a lot more than a meter.

Not sure why they’d issue an alert for a 1m wave for CA.

I live in East Germany, er, California and this is no surprise at all. We are governed by the most inept, corrupt hypocrites in the state's history. They closed the beaches on the west side of the Bay Area peninsula.

Waiting for November.

[owly]

Originally Posted by Minggat

It arrived here in Kauai about 2 AM. No warning. Police reported to me that they only had an advisory.

It was easily 5-6 ft, and 4 ft above king tide level.

With my dock lines already set for king tides, I believe I got an advantage. Not that any more adjustment would have been a good idea. But there was definitely room for things to have been much worse.

Not an experience I will soon forget.

TIP.
When you hear a freight train coming, but you live on a boat, get off of it.

Where are you on Kauai? Down near Wimea / Port Allen or up near Hanalei, or on the East side Nawiliwili....

[davenrino]

Originally Posted by Minggat

It arrived here in Kauai about 2 AM. No warning. Police reported to me that they only had an advisory.

It was easily 5-6 ft, and 4 ft above king tide level.

With my dock lines already set for king tides, I believe I got an advantage. Not that any more adjustment would have been a good idea. But there was definitely room for things to have been much worse.

Not an experience I will soon forget.

TIP.
When you hear a freight train coming, but you live on a boat, get off of it.

Hmmm...my friend was anchored on the South side of Molokai with no cell reception. They all woke up about 2AM but said it just felt like a boat wake. No damage to our marina at Keehi Lagoon but a lot of debris came into the lagoon. Our maarina had to be completely rebuilt after the 2011 event.

[Valmika]

This is current from Marine Traffic web site. It is about 150 miles around the Tonga area. Doesn't look like much traffic left. I am trying to figure out history to see if there was any in the area before.


It seems that there would have been because the area was between Tonga and Samoa

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

...am rather disappointed in the Aus/NZ response - 'we will send a ship if they ask for one' ..
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/f...16-p59omh.html

Sunday afternoon NZ time:
Tonga volcano: NZ Defence Force poised to help, but no direct contact with Tonga Government yet
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127...government-yet

Monday morning NZ time:
Live: Air Force Orion aircraft leaves for tsunami-hit Tonga
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300...unamihit-tonga

[JPA Cate]

@Valmika:

It's cyclone season down here, not too much traffic. Also, most island nations are presently restricting entries, due to Covid.

Ann

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

Sunday afternoon NZ time:
Tonga volcano: NZ Defence Force poised to help, but no direct contact with Tonga Government yet
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127...government-yet

Monday morning NZ time:
Live: Air Force Orion aircraft leaves for tsunami-hit Tonga
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300...unamihit-tonga

Here's another couple of links, but not sure how much info they will post there:

NZDF Official Site: Tonga Response
https://nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/significant...onga-response/

Facebook: Royal New Zealand Air Force
https://www.facebook.com/NZAirForce

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by rmesfo

I live in East Germany, er, California and this is no surprise at all. We are governed by the most inept, corrupt hypocrites in the state's history. They closed the beaches on the west side of the Bay Area peninsula.

Waiting for November.

So you don't think there should have been any closures or warnings. I guess you have the right to park your car in the harbor lot if you want to

[owly]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

So you don't think there should have been any closures or warnings. I guess you have the right to park your car in the harbor lot if you want to

To some folks any government action to protect people, the environment, etc is "corrupt".... It's not worth arguing with idiots!

[SalingSue]

Same Tonga who kicked sailboats out of a safe harbor that they didn’t even have authority over?

[ChrisJHC]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

I think the news out of Tonga is going to get a whole lot worse and am rather disappointed in the Aus/NZ response - 'we will send a ship if they ask for one' ..
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/f...16-p59omh.html

It’s normal to wait to be invited before sending military forces into a sovereign nation.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by SalingSue

Same Tonga who kicked sailboats out of a safe harbor that they didn’t even have authority over?

I see that you are maintaining your usual level of understanding and compassion.

[JPA Cate]

From what I read this morning, the eruptions have been ongoing, and they have had a large fall of volcanic ash. I'm sure they're working to establish better communications, but it is going to be very difficult. Jacinda (NZ Premier) mentioned that the Tongans' [very limited] water supplies have been contaminated by the ash fall. On the atolls, the lens will have pumice floating still, but the lava chunks will sink. Pumice is really sharp, so it is a problem for drinking water, they will need to filter out the pumice.

So, I'm thinking Tonga's political friends should be sending ships that can run huge watermakers. People don't need food as much as water. Also, food and hand tools for cleanup. Lots of people; little electricity. A couple of cruise ships plus a hospital ship could do a world of good.

The Tongans will want to try to save their gardens and replant. Usually the ash is great for the soil, but they have to be able to live in the meanwhile.

Ham radio folks could be helping with the communications, if able to work remote. (Think bicycle driven generators for recharging car batteries for the radios). Hams will talk to everyone if it is a declared emergency. Both Oz and NZ could sent hams equipped for remote work. Three island groups.



Ann

[SalingSue]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

I see that you are maintaining your usual level of understanding and compassion.

For the people who use armed ships given to them to push sailboats out who are seeking safe harbor from a island that isn’t even there’s?

Yeah, I think this was what one calls getting their comeuppance