Research Shows Tonga's Maka Lahi Boulder's Journey

Boulder weighing 1,200 tons washed inland by an ancient tsunami

A massive, cliff-top boulder in Tonga reveals a 7,000-year-old mega tsunami, offering new insights for coastal hazard planning.

Research shows Tonga's Maka Lahi boulder's journey

The researchers used numerical modelling to establish that wave heights of around 50 metres, and lasting around 90 seconds, would have been needed to dislodge the boulder from its cliff-edge origin.

6.0-magnitude earthquake hits south of Tonga

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake jolted Ohonua, in Tonga, on Sunday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The epicenter, with a depth of 11.6 km, was initially determined to be at 22.788 degrees south latitude and 175.725 degrees west longitude, according to the USGS. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not immediately issue a tsunami warning based on the quake. Pacific island countries such…

Boulder moved by ancient tsunami reveals extreme wave power in Pacific history

Sydney, Australia (SPX) May 22, 2025 Analysis of a massive boulder in Tonga has unveiled rare evidence of ancient tsunamis and their capacity to reshape Pacific coastlines. Researchers from the University of Queensland identified the Maka Lahi boulder-measuring 14 by 12 by 6.7 meters and weighing nearly 1,200 tonnes-as one of the largest rocks ever transported by ocean waves. PhD candidate Martin Kohler said the boulder had b

Earthquake strikes south of Tonga, no Tsunami threat reported

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck south of Tonga late last night, prompting initial concerns but ultimately resulting in no tsunami threat to the island nation. The tremor occurred at 11.49 pm local time on May 25, 2025, with its epicentre 180 kilometres south of Eua and 204 kilometres south of Tongatapu. The quake originated at […] The post Earthquake strikes south of Tonga, no Tsunami threat reported appeared first on Kaniva Tonga News.