Tonga has taken a significant step in strengthening its earthquake and tsunami monitoring capabilities with the installation of cutting-edge tools for seismic analysis and tsunami prediction.
The tools provided by the German company Gempa GmbH improves Tonga’s ability to detect seismic events and assess potential tsunami risks in real time.
“The unpredictability of earthquakes and tsunamis necessitates robust monitoring systems,” TMS said in statement.
The initiative stems from a contract signed last year between Gempa and the PREP MEIDECC to install the SeisComP Moment Tensor (MT) software and TOAST (Tsunami Observation and Simulation Terminal), and to provide training for the Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS) and Tonga Geological Services (TGS) staff.
Dr. Dirk Roessler led online training, while in-country sessions were conducted by Gempa CEO Dr. Bernd Weber. The training focused on configuring and utilizing seismic tools for monitoring and hazard assessment.
The TOAST software, now operational in Tonga, simulates tsunami scenarios and provides tailored warning bulletins. These can be rapidly disseminated via text, email, or video, ensuring communities are alerted quickly.
The upgrades come as Tonga faces high seismic risks due to its proximity to the Tonga Trench, a major earthquake zone.
