A hanging satellite tv for pc symbol of Tonga’s Tofua Island, taken on April 23, 2022, has captured smoke emerging from a volcanic cone referred to as Lofia. The picture, captured through Landsat 9, provides a sobering reminder that Tofua, in spite of its relative calm lately, stays an lively and unpredictable volcano.
Tofua: A Volcanic Island at the Edge
Tofua is a part of Tonga’s Ha’apai island chain, identified for its volcanic job. The island’s biggest function is a large caldera, shaped after an explosive eruption thousands and thousands of years in the past.
The caldera is a panoramic sight, with steep cliffs towering as much as 515 meters (1,690 ft) above sea stage, and a deep crater lake at its heart. In spite of the island’s good looks, the looming danger of long run eruptions is ever-present.NASA’s Earth Observatory studies that Lofia, a volcanic cone positioned close to the island’s summit, continues to be lively and may sooner or later erupt with explosive pressure, which made headlines for its devastating eruption in 2022.
Historical past of Eruptions and Ongoing Process
Tofua has an extended historical past of volcanic eruptions. A minimum of 12 eruptions had been recorded since 1774, with the newest lively segment starting in 2015. Despite the fact that the depth of eruptions has diminished through the years, the island is a ways from dormant.
In line with LiveScience, the Lofia cone nonetheless poses a vital danger, and the island stays one to observe carefully for long run volcanic job.
“There’s the looming danger that Lofia may erupt explosively, just like Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai did in 2022,” NASA representatives famous in October 2024 that there are not any rapid indicators suggesting an eruption is most probably.Tofua’s volcanic job isn’t as violent, however the area’s ongoing eruptions counsel {that a} long run explosive tournament isn’t out of the query.
Tofua is house to a big crater lake nestled inside a hanging caldera. Smoke has been often observed coming from a volcanic cone north of the lake all through a up to date eruptive segment, which started in 2015. (Symbol credit score: NASA/Landsat)
A Story of Gods, a Shining Anus, and the Beginning of Tofua
Past its geological importance, Tofua may be deeply embedded in Tongan mythology. In line with native lore, the island’s formation is tied to a mythical fight between gods. The tale tells of Tafakula, a Tongan deity who stopped 3 Samoan gods from stealing the island’s mountain. Tafakula confirmed his shining anus, which used to be so blindingly brilliant that the Samoan gods concept the solar used to be emerging and fled in worry, losing the mountain within the procedure. This legendary story no longer best provides a wealthy cultural layer to the island’s historical past but additionally explains the advent of Kao Island, positioned close by.
Tofua: A Volcanic Thriller from Area
The satellite tv for pc photographs captured through Landsat 9 be offering a contemporary point of view on Tofua’s volcanic job. The smoke emerging from the Lofia cone serves as a stark visible reminder of the island’s risky nature.In spite of Tofua’s quieter fresh years, its historical past and persisted job stay it firmly within the highlight for each scientists and mythologists alike.
The shining anus story would possibly sound extraordinary, nevertheless it serves as a logo of the facility of nature and the cultural importance of the land.
