11-20-2007, 12:37 AM
he United States scientists have warned there could be a possible Pacific tsunami.
The warning came following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck Chile on Thursday November 15.
left: government geologist Kelepi Mafi
The alert was issued from the Hawaii based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the warning covers the areas bordering the Pacific Ocean and adjacent seas off the coasts of Chile and Peru.
The warning was also issued by Radio Australia, saying an earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the pacific region near the epicenter within minutes to hours.
But according to government geologist Kelepi Mafi this might not cause any harm within the kingdom. As it is far from where the earthquakes occurred.
“I believe that Tonga will not be affected by this as not only that Tonga is far away from the epicenter of the earthquake. But Tonga is also far away from Chile,” said Mafi.
He adds Tonga is vulnerable to minor earthquakes everyday but it cannot be able to develop a tsunami such as the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that strike Chile and the one that occur during the fourth of May last year.
View full story: http://www.tonga-now.to/Article.aspx?ID=4662&Mode=1
The warning came following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck Chile on Thursday November 15.
left: government geologist Kelepi Mafi
The alert was issued from the Hawaii based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the warning covers the areas bordering the Pacific Ocean and adjacent seas off the coasts of Chile and Peru.
The warning was also issued by Radio Australia, saying an earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the pacific region near the epicenter within minutes to hours.
But according to government geologist Kelepi Mafi this might not cause any harm within the kingdom. As it is far from where the earthquakes occurred.
“I believe that Tonga will not be affected by this as not only that Tonga is far away from the epicenter of the earthquake. But Tonga is also far away from Chile,” said Mafi.
He adds Tonga is vulnerable to minor earthquakes everyday but it cannot be able to develop a tsunami such as the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that strike Chile and the one that occur during the fourth of May last year.
View full story: http://www.tonga-now.to/Article.aspx?ID=4662&Mode=1