Activated Tsunami alert in the Pacific by the magnitude earthquake 7.1 in East Tonga

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Tonga Shaken by Massive 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake – Is the Pacific Ring of Fire Ready to Blow?

The quiet islands of Tonga found themselves in a precarious situation this Sunday when a fierce earthquake of 7.1 magnitude rattled their very foundations! Located in the heart of the Pacific Ring of Fire, this tiny nation, home to around 106,000 resilient souls, is once again at the mercy of Mother Nature’s wrath.

The Pacific Tsunamis Alert Center wasted no time issuing a dire warning of dangerous waves poised to strike the coasts less than 300 kilometers from the quake’s epicenter. Thankfully, initial reports show no immediate casualties or damage. But this doesn’t mean we can rest easy—every tremor carries the potential for disaster!

Dangerous Waters: What Lies Beneath

The tremor was unmistakably felt about 90 kilometers southeast of Pangai—an idyllic city with a mere 2,000 residents—and northeast of Nuku’alofa, the bustling capital housing around 27,600 people. The United States Geological Service pinpointed the earthquake at a depth of only 10 kilometers beneath the ocean floor, raising eyebrows about the geological instability in this treacherous region.

“Tonga is not just another beautiful tropical paradise; it’s a ticking time bomb within the Pacific Fire belt!”

The Pacific Fire Belt and Its Dangers

Tonga consists of 171 islands in the heart of Polynesia, with the majority residing on Tongatapu.
This island nation lies over 3,500 kilometers from Australia’s eastern shore, isolated yet vulnerable.
The region is notorious for seismic activity, with thousands of tremors shaking its ground daily!

The ocean between Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga is littered with active craters, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the region and all who inhabit it. In fact, back in September 2009, dual earthquakes of magnitudes 8 and 8.1 claimed the lives of at least 189 individuals in Tonga and Samoa due to catastrophic tsunamis.

Let’s not forget the devastation of January 2022 when Tonga was obliterated by a tsunami following a brutal underwater volcanic eruption. This incident alone resulted in at least three deaths and left the nation incommunicado for days, affecting more than 80% of its population. Suffice it to say, Tonga must brace itself; the Pacific Ring of Fire may not be finished with its upheaval.

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