Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga.

📢 REMINDER – BOAT TOUR SESSIONS BY eXXpedition STILL AVAILABLE 🚤🌊

The boat tour aboard the expedition vessel on 4th June is still open for anyone interested in joining.

Two sessions are available:
🕙 Session 1: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM(Pangaimotu Wharf)
🕚 Session 2: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM(Pangaimotu Wharf)

If you would like to participate, please RSVP by email to:
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

For further information, contact:
📱 7401325 ( Fehi or Sheila)

Spaces are limited, so please confirm your attendance as soon as possible.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

Successful Deep-Sea Research Voyage Between Fiji and Tonga Waters

From the deep waters between Fiji and Tonga, an incredible 33-day scientific voyage aboard the RV Thomas G. Thompson has officially come to a successful end.

From 18 April to 20 May 2026, an international team of scientists and students carried out groundbreaking research across the Valu Fa Ridge (VFR), Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC), Mangatolu Triple Junction (MTJ), and Fonualei Spreading Center (FSC) to better understand hydrothermal vent ecosystems and the impacts of the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption beneath our oceans. The research mission was completed successfully, with scientists achieving important research objectives throughout the voyage.

The mission also included Endurance Energy offshore geothermal research, which was to conduct in situ equipment testing and resource exploration related to subsea geothermal power generation within Tonga's EEZ.

The participating group was led by Roxanne Beinart (URI) and Andy Davies (ashore), alongside Shawn Arellano (Chief Scientist) (WWU), and Jay Dimond, Jill McDermott (Lehigh University), Didier Jollivet (ashore), Holly Bik (University of Georgia), Eli Simmons (Endurance Energy), and Ms. Tupou Ika, Senior Geological Assistant from the Tonga Geological Services, who participated as the geological observer representing the Government of Tonga.

Participating in this research will strengthen the technical capacity and practical experience of staff in the Natural Resources Division and give them valuable exposure to advanced scientific methods and deep-sea research.

A huge Malo ‘Aupito to the hosting Universities and Endurance Energy, also National Science Foundation (NSF) for the financial support, to the captain and crew of the Thomas G. Thompson for making this voyage possible, and to the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Spatial Planning and Natural Resources for allowing participation in this important and successful scientific expedition. 🌊🔬🇹🇴

Home Reef Public Notice No.33

FELT EVENT 13/05/2026 at 10:19am TOT
Magnitude: 5.8
Depth: 193km
Location: 255km SSW from 'Ohonua, 'Eua
266km SSW from Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu

🌍International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes

As part of this year’s commemoration, the Tonga Geological Services Division carried out a school outreach awareness program on Thursday 30th April at Houma where the Houma GMS and Houma FWC Middle School attended.

The program engaged students from Class 1 to Class 6, as well as Forms 1 and 2, with the aim of raising awareness about earthquakes and promoting safe practices.

Through interactive sessions, students learned:
- What is Earthquake
- History of Earthquakes in Tonga
- How they affect Tonga
- What to do before, during, and after an earthquake

Our team also introduced basic earthquake monitoring concepts and encouraged students to be prepared and stay safe.

Educating our young generation is a key step toward building a resilient and disaster ready Tonga.

We thank the schools, teachers, and students for their warm participation and enthusiasm.

🌍International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes

29th April had been designated by the UN Assembly General in 2025 as International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes.
Tonga joined the rest of the countries in the world on marking the first ever International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes with a Prayer Service.

In commemorating this Day, countries and partners were called to:

Reflect: Honor those who lost their lives and stand in solidarity with survivors, including through psychosocial support and memorials

Share and scale what works: Exchange good practices and tested actions that reduce earthquake risk: policies, codes, retrofitting approaches, financing models, community engagement, and school- and workplace-based preparedness, so countries can adapt and implement them on the ground.

Communicate earthquake risk: Use the Day to raise awareness of earthquake risk, build trust in institutions, and support informed preparedness and decision-making across society.

Ready systems: Address underlying risk drivers through risk-informed development planning; strengthen preparedness, enforce and improve building codes, and plan for resilient recovery before disasters occur; and prioritize resilient infrastructure and retrofitting of critical facilities including schools, hospitals and lifelines.

Resource resilience: Mobilize finance and partnerships for risk-informed investments, prioritizing support to high-risk and vulnerable countries and local implementers

The second part of the day was an awareness program for high school students and the public, where the Natural Resources Division demonstrated its work in monitoring and understanding earthquakes. The session focused on explaining what earthquakes are, how they are measured and analyzed, and also highlighted career pathways in geology to inspire students, reinforcing the Division’s commitment to building a more informed and resilient community.

🌍World Earthquake Day Starts Tomorrow: Honouring Lives & Why It Matters

Earthquakes have taken many lives around the world, including here in Tonga and across the Pacific. Today, we remember those who were lost and stand with the families and communities affected.

This day is not only about the past, it is about learning, preparing, and protecting our future.

Why this day matters:
To honour those who lost their lives
To recognize the impact on communities
To remind us that earthquakes can happen at any time

Stronger together:
Even after disasters, communities rebuild, support one another, and grow stronger. This resilience keeps us moving forward.

Be prepared:
Know what to do during an earthquake
Understand the risks in your area
Have a plan for your family

Every life matters.
Every action counts.
Preparedness saves lives.

Let us remember. Let us prepare. Let us stay strong.

🌏Countdown to World Earthquake Day: Tsunami Risk and Earthquakes

When earthquakes strike, the danger doesn’t always end when the shaking stops.

Earthquakes can suddenly displace large volumes of water, generating powerful tsunamis that can reach coastlines within minutes. In island nations like Tonga, this risk is especially serious.

⚠️Know the natural warning signs:
• Strong or long earthquake shaking – if it’s hard to stand or lasts more than 20 seconds
• Sudden sea withdrawal – the ocean pulls back unusually far, exposing the seabed.

These are natural tsunami warnings. Do not wait for sirens or official alerts.

🚨What to do immediately:
• As soon as the shaking stops, move quickly to higher ground or inland
• Follow evacuation routes if available, but don’t delay if you know a safe high place
• Stay away from the coast until authorities say it is safe
• Help others if you can, especially children, elderly, and those with disabilities

⏱️Every second matters. Tsunamis can arrive within minutes, leaving little time to react.

Preparedness starts with awareness. Recognizing the signs and acting fast can save lives.

At Tonga Geological Services, under MLSSPNR, we continue to promote simple, life-saving knowledge to strengthen community resilience.