Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga.

26/08/2026

✅ COMPLETED THE EARTHQUAKE MONITORING EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION - 'EUA✅

📅On August 19, 2026, a TGS officer, along with two geohazards visitors, travelled to 'Eua to install earthquake monitoring equipment 📡, part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen earthquake analysis work across Tonga.

The team was led by Valeliano Tovi from the Tonga Geological Services, together with two American officers 🇺🇸 from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

🤝 This project is a partnership between the Government of the United States and the Government of Tonga, carried out through the Tonga Geological Services (Natural Resources Division) under the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources.

It's a great example of how developed nations continue to support our small island nations across the Pacific 🌊. Beyond the equipment itself, this initiative builds the capacity and technical skills of TGS staff, strengthening our readiness for natural hazards such as earthquakes 🌎, tsunamis 🌊, and landslides — both on land and undersea.

Sincere gratitude to the Tonga Meteorological Services, Government of Tonga (MEIDECC), and Tonga Airports Limited for their cooperation in accommodating the installation of these monitoring devices at the airports.

26/08/2026

Following our senior officer Savelinga Fa'oliu's involvement in the community awareness programme in Ha'apai, Mele Manu (Chief Geologist) joined the recently completed programme in Vava'u, continuing Tonga Geological Services' role in strengthening community understanding of our disaster risk profile.

We sincerely thank Tonga National Disaster Risk Management Office - NDRMO of the Ministry of MEIDECC for including TGS in this important programme and for the continued opportunity to work alongside our partners in reaching communities across Tonga. Together, we remain committed to ensuring no community is left behind in disaster preparedness.

26/08/2026

25/08/2026

🌊🇹🇴 TONGA STRENGTHENS TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS IN CHILE 🇨🇱🌊

“Be Aware. Be Prepared. Be Tsunami Ready.”

Tonga Geological Services (TGS) is pleased to share the successful participation of three Tongan representatives in the ITIC Tsunami Early Warning System Training Programme (ITP-TEWS) held in Valparaíso, Chile, from 10–21 August 2026.

Tonga was represented by Mr. Lazarus Vaipulu – Tonga National Disaster Risk Management Office - NDRMO, Mr. Inoke Lelenga - Tonga Meteorological Services, Government of Tonga, and Ms. Tupou Ika – Tonga Geological Services

The training brought together participants from Caribbean countries and Pacific Island countries, providing a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, knowledge, and good practices in tsunami early warning, SOPs, evacuation planning, community preparedness, and Tsunami Ready initiatives.

Participants also had the opportunity to learn from Chile's tsunami warning system through field activities and a tsunami evacuation drill. The knowledge gained will contribute to strengthening Tonga's national tsunami preparedness, coordination, and community awareness.

TGS sincerely acknowledges the 🇺🇸 UCAR for the financial support that enabled our participation. 🇨🇱 SHOA – for hosting the training and sharing Chile's valuable experience and expertise. UNESCO-IOC & ITIC – for organizing and facilitating this important programme.
Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources and MEIDECC for supporting and allowing our participation.

We are grateful to all facilitators, organizers, and fellow participants from the Caribbean and Pacific for the warm hospitality, knowledge sharing, experiences, and friendships throughout the programme.

🌊 Be Aware. Be Prepared. Be Tsunami Ready.
🇹🇴 Together, building a safer and more resilient Tonga.

23/08/2026

📺 Sharing Water News with the Nation 📺

As part of the "Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga" project, supported by the Green Climate Fund and run by the Natural Resources Division (Tonga Geological Services) under the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Spatial Planning and Natural Resources, the project has kept the public updated through TV programs on Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC).

Here are some of the project's awareness programs (via media) so far:

📅 30 May 2024 — Introduced the project and the Water Resources Section's work: regular water monitoring, safe waste disposal to protect groundwater, borehole drilling permits, rainwater harvesting, and water management plans being developed for 10 vulnerable communities

📅 10 September 2024 — Project updates, including the Water Act 2020, the new draft Water Policy, plans for water monitoring and household surveys across Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai, borehole conditions, groundwater saltiness, and rainwater systems

📅 14 September 2025 — Major achievements, including Cabinet's approval of the National Water Resources Policy 2024, the latest water monitoring results, rainwater harvesting checks in 11 Tongatapu villages, and key challenges communities still face — like damaged gutters and not enough water storage

These TV programs help make sure everyone — not just those visited in person — understands what's happening with Tonga's water, what the risks are, and what they can do to help. Protecting our water resources isn't something the Ministry can do alone; it takes all of us working together.

Stay tuned for future updates as the project continues its work to build a more water-secure Tonga. 🇹🇴

20/08/2026

💧 Building Skilled Teams to Protect Tonga's Water 💧

As part of the "Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga" project, under the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Spatial Planning and Natural Resources, our team has completed important training to help protect our water resources — combining hands-on fieldwork with new digital tools.
Learning in the field

In May 2024, the Project Management Unit took part in hands-on training on how to properly check village water sources. Staff practiced using two key tools:
🔧 Solinst Dip Meter — measures water level, saltiness, and temperature in boreholes
🔧 Palintest Multimeter — measures acidity, cleanliness, saltiness, and temperature
By practicing in the field, staff built the confidence and skills to collect reliable water data — the kind of data that helps us understand risks like water shortages and rising salt levels in communities.
Going digital

The team also trained on Survey123, a mobile app that lets staff build digital survey forms, collect water data directly from the field on a phone or tablet, and turn results into charts and dashboards. This is replacing paper-based recording, making our monitoring faster, more accurate, and easier to act on.

A total of 8 staff from the Natural Resources Division and the project team took part, and PMU staff are now equipped to carry out groundwater monitoring on their own going forward.

This matters because skilled staff and reliable tools mean better information — and better information means communities can be warned earlier about water problems, and decisions about water can be made with confidence. This training is laying the groundwork for stronger, climate-resilient water management across Tonga. 🇹🇴

19/08/2026

🔬 Checking the Health of Our Groundwater in Ha'apai 🔬

As part of the "Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga" project, a project funded by the Department of Climate Change Tonga, and mainstreamed by the Natural Resources Division (Tonga Geological Services), under the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Spatial Planning and Natural Resources, has been out in the field checking the quality of our groundwater across the Ha'apai island group.

What did the team check, and where?

Using specialised equipment (a Solinst meter and a Palintest Multimeter), the team measured how salty, clean, and acidic the groundwater is. Testing was carried out at wells and boreholes, connected outlet taps, and household taps — so even where a well or borehole was locked or sealed, the nearest connected tap was tested instead, meaning no household was missed.

So what did we find?

In March 2025, the team mapped groundwater saltiness (measured as "electrical conductivity," or EC) across Lifuka, Foa, 'Uiha, Ha'ano, and Ha'afeva. The results show that salt levels are not the same everywhere:

🔴 Foa and central/northern Lifuka have the highest salt levels — these areas may be more affected by seawater mixing into the groundwater
🟡 Parts of Lifuka, Foa, Ha'ano, and 'Uiha have moderately elevated salt levels
🟢 Parts of Ha'ano and Lifuka have the lowest, and best, groundwater quality

Why does this matter to you?

This kind of regular monitoring helps us see where groundwater is becoming saltier over time — often a sign of seawater creeping into the water table. Catching this early means we can warn affected communities, guide safer well placement, and support better water management decisions, especially in areas where groundwater is relied on for daily use. It's how we help make sure the water reaching your household stays safe, now and as our climate continues to change.

19/08/2026

🤝 Working Together to Look After Our Water 🤝

Under the "Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga" project, the Natural Resources Division (Tonga Geological Services), under the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Spatial Planning and Natural Resources, has been helping bring communities and government together to look after water resources in the outer islands.

The project supported the restart of the Vava'u Water Resources Committee, and the setting up of new committees in Ha'apai, 'Eua, and Niuatoputapu:

📅 Vava'u — reconvened 9 November 2024
📅 Ha'apai — established 21 March 2025
📅 'Eua — established 22 August 2025
📅 Niuatoputapu — established 30 October 2025

These committees bring together government ministries: Ministry of Health, Ministry of MEIDECC, Ministry of Forestry and Food, Tonga Water Board, Waste Authority Limited, and NGOs such as Live & Learn and Tonga Trust, together with community stakeholders to work as a team on managing and protecting local water resources — guided by the Water Resources Act 2020.

Why does this matter?

Water problems affect everyone, so decisions about water shouldn't be made by one group alone. These committees give each island a proper voice in how their water is managed and protected — making sure everyone works together, follows the law, and plans ahead for the future.

This is an important step toward stronger teamwork, better decisions, and safer water for communities across Tonga's outer islands. 🇹🇴

13/08/2026

Earthquake Felt Event.

Time: 01:43pm (13/08/2026)
Magnitude:4.3M
Depth:11km
Latitude : 18.16 °S
Longitude : 172.01°W
Magnitude : 4.3 M

307 km NE from Pangai, Ha'apai
215 km ENE from Neiafu, Vava'u
470 km NE from Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu