What kind of volcano is Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai?

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai is classified as a Caldera in Tonga. Its tectonic setting is Subduction zone / Oceanic crust (< 15 km).

How is seismicity near Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

Photo:NOAA / CSU / CIRA

Volcano Dossier•GVP #243040

20.55°S, 175.38°W

Erupted since 2000

Volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

Q: When did Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai last erupt?

The most recent eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2022.

Q: How is seismicity near Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

Ein überwiegend unterseeischer Vulkan, dessen Ausbruch am 15. Januar 2022 die stärkste je von modernen Instrumenten aufgezeichnete Explosion war. Die Eruptionssäule reichte 57 km hoch bis in die Mesosphäre, die Druckwelle umrundete die Erde mehrmals, und Tsunamis trafen Küsten rund um den Pazifik; zudem brachte er eine Rekordmenge Wasserdampf in die Stratosphäre.

Last Eruption

2022

Erupted since 2000

Summit Elevation

0.1 km

Caldera · Andesit / Basaltandesit

Seismic State

Normal Baseline

0 events (1.0x rate)

Interactive Volcano & Seismicity Map

Seismicity within 50 km radius, active VAAC ash plumes, and tectonic plate boundaries.

Recent seismicity within 50 km

0 events in the last 12 h within 25 km of the crater.

Zeit	Magnitude	Epizentrum / Ort	Entfernung	Tiefe
1mo ago	M4.9	Vor der Küste von Nukuʻalofa (30 km NW, Tonga)	49 km	157.8 km
1mo ago	M4.9	Vor der Küste von Nukuʻalofa (30 km NW, Tonga)	49 km	157.8 km
1mo ago	M4.8	Vor der Küste von Nukuʻalofa (30 km NW, Tonga)	49 km	121.9 km

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Caldera

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai is an active Caldera formed in an active Subduction zone / Oceanic crust (< 15 km). Dominant lithology: Andesite / Basaltic Andesite.

Edifice TypeCaldera

Major RockAndesit / Basaltandesit

Tectonic SettingSubduktionszone

Volcanic ArcVulkanbogen Tofua

Volcanic Dossier

VN #243040

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

LandTonga

Koordinaten des Kraters-20.553°, -175.384°

Summit Elevation0.1 km

SubregionVulkanbogen Tofua

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#243040)

Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure

All 18 Networks & VAAC →

Seismic ObservatoryGSN / FDSN

Global Seismographic Network & Regional Centers

Official Portal

ICAO Aviation Ash Center

ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Network

International Civil Aviation Organization

VAAC Advisory Desk

Swarm telemetry correlated across 18 networks against a 30-day baseline.Read Science & Physics →

Häufig gestellte Fragen (FAQ)

Geprüfte wissenschaftliche, operative und Notfallprotokolle

The most recent eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2022.

Catalogue: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program.Smithsonian GVP profile