Official Name

Kingdom of Tonga

Capital

Nukuʻalofa (on Tongatapu Island)

Geographical Location

South Pacific Ocean, Polynesia, east of Fiji & south of Samoa

Coordinates

20.0°S, 175.0°W

Total Area

747 km²

Number of Islands

171 islands (only 45 inhabited)

Major Island Groups

Tongatapu Group, Vavaʻu Group, Haʻapai Group, Niuas Group

Major Islands

Tongatapu, Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, ʻEua, Niuatoputapu, Niuafoʻou

Highest Point

Kao Volcano (1,033 m)

Major Volcanoes

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai (submarine volcano, erupted in 2022), Tofua, Kao, Niuafoʻou (active)

Earthquake Activity

Located on Pacific Ring of Fire; frequent seismic activity

Tsunami Risk

High due to undersea earthquakes & volcanic eruptions

Climate

Tropical maritime climate with warm, humid conditions

Seasons

Wet Season (November-April, cyclones possible), Dry Season (May-October)

Annual Rainfall

1,700–2,500 mm per year

Temperature Range

18°C (winter) – 30°C (summer)

Natural Hazards

Earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, volcanic eruptions, coastal erosion, rising sea levels

Population

Approximately 100,000 (2024 estimate)

Ethnic Groups

Tongan (97%), Part-Tongan, Other (European, Chinese, Indian)

Official Language

Tongan, English

Religion

Predominantly Christian (Free Wesleyan Church, Mormon, Catholic, others)

Government Type

Constitutional Monarchy

Current Monarch

King Tupou VI (since 2012)

Prime Minister

Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni (as of 2024)

Legislature

Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea) with elected & noble representatives

Legal System

English common law & local customary law

Independence

June 4, 1970 (from British protectorate status)

Economy

Heavily reliant on remittances, agriculture, fisheries & tourism

Major Agricultural Products

Yams, taro, bananas, vanilla, coconuts

Main Industries

Agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts, tourism, construction

Currency

Tongan Paʻanga (TOP)

GDP (2024 Estimate)

$0.5 billion USD

GDP per Capita

$5,000 USD (approx.)

Major Trading Partners

New Zealand, Australia, China, Fiji, USA

Exports

Fish, vanilla, agricultural products, handicrafts

Imports

Food, fuel, machinery, manufactured goods

Infrastructure Challenges

Limited transportation, underdeveloped energy sector, reliance on imports

Natural Resources

Agricultural land, fisheries, volcanic soil

Transport

Limited domestic air & sea transport; international airport in Tongatapu

Internet & Telecommunications

Expanding but limited outside major islands; undersea cable for broadband

Military & Defense

No standing army; Tonga Defense Services (TDS) mainly for peacekeeping & emergency response

Cultural Heritage

Rich Polynesian traditions, music, dance (Lakalaka) & oral storytelling

Sports

Rugby union (most popular), weightlifting, boxing, athletics

Tourist Attractions

Beaches, coral reefs, whale watching, ancient tombs (Haʻamonga ʻa Maui), volcanic islands

UN Membership

Yes, since 1999

International Organizations

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Commonwealth, UN, WHO, WTO

Recent Events

2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption & tsunami, 2024 7.1 magnitude earthquake

Major Challenges

Climate change, rising sea levels, economic vulnerability, disaster resilience, health care infrastructure

Definition of a Tsunami

A series of ocean waves caused by underwater seismic activity such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or underwater landslides.

Major Causes

Undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, asteroid impacts, submarine explosions.

Early Warning Systems

1. Seismic Monitoring Detects earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis.

2. Tsunami Buoys & Tide Gauges Measures sea level changes.

3. Deep-Ocean Assessment & Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) Uses pressure sensors to detect tsunami waves.

4. Satellite Monitoring Helps track oceanic disturbances.

5. Regional Warning Centers Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS), Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), etc.

Global Tsunami Warning Centers

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) covers Pacific Ocean.

Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS) covers Indian Ocean.

National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC, USA) monitors US coastal areas.

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) monitors tsunamis in Japan & neighboring areas.

Tsunami Alert Levels

1. Watch Tsunami is possible; stay alert.

2. Advisory Tsunami expected; strong currents & waves.

3. Warning Significant tsunami expected; evacuate immediately.

Emergency Preparedness Measures

1. Risk Assessment Identifying vulnerable coastlines & communities.

2. Evacuation Planning Establishing clear evacuation routes & safe zones.

3. Emergency Drills Conducting regular tsunami drills in at-risk areas.

4. Community Training Educating citizens on recognizing tsunami warning signs.

5. Disaster Management Coordination Ensuring local, national & international coordination.

Tsunami Evacuation Guidelines

1. Move to Higher Ground Evacuate immediately if a tsunami warning is issued.

2. Avoid Coastal Areas Stay away from beaches & harbors.

3. Follow Official Warnings Do not return until authorities declare it safe.

4. Emergency Kit Keep food, water, first-aid supplies & important documents ready.

5. Stay Informed Listen to radio, TV or emergency alerts for updates.

Structural Mitigation Strategies

1. Coastal Barriers & Sea Walls Reduce impact of waves.

2. Mangrove & Coral Reef Restoration Natural barriers that absorb wave energy.

3. Tsunami-Resistant Buildings Elevated structures, reinforced foundations.

4. Land Use Planning Avoiding construction in tsunami-prone zones.

Role of Government & Organizations

1. National Disaster Management Agencies Coordinate emergency response.

2. United Nations & UNESCO-IOC Global tsunami preparedness initiatives.

3. NGOs & Community Groups Conduct awareness campaigns & training.

4. Research Institutions Improve prediction models & technology.

Community Awareness & Education

1. Tsunami Signs Strong earthquakes, sudden sea level rise/fall, roaring ocean sound.

2. School Programs Teaching children tsunami safety.

3. Public Drills & Simulations Practicing emergency evacuation.

4. Communication Networks Sirens, mobile alerts, radio & television broadcasts.

Recent Major Tsunamis & Lessons Learned

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Led to establishment of Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System.

2011 Japan Tsunami (Tohoku Earthquake) Highlighted need for stronger seawalls & nuclear plant safety.

2018 Sulawesi Tsunami (Indonesia) Showed importance of rapid alert systems & local preparedness.

2022 Tonga Volcanic Tsunami Demonstrated impact of underwater volcanic eruptions.

Challenges in Tsunami Preparedness

1. Lack of Infrastructure Developing nations have limited resources for tsunami barriers & shelters.

2. Public Awareness Gaps Many coastal communities lack proper education on tsunami risks.

3. Coordination Issues Need for better international & regional disaster response mechanisms.

4. Climate Change & Rising Sea Levels Increases vulnerability of coastal populations.

Future Improvements

1. AI & Machine Learning Enhancing early warning accuracy.

2. Advanced Satellite Monitoring Faster detection of undersea disturbances.

3. Strengthening Local Preparedness Training communities & improving evacuation plans.

4. Integration of Traditional Knowledge Learning from indigenous coastal communities.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Tsunamis pose a threat to coastal communities necessitating a robust early warning system, disaster preparedness & sustainable coastal management. Critically examine Indian tsunami preparedness & suggest measures for improvement.