2006 Tonga Earthquake - Damage

Damage

In summary, with regards to the earthquake magnitude, the event caused very limited damage. The previous large earthquake in Tonga, in 1977, was of inferior magnitude but resulted in more severe damage. A likely cause is that the 2006 quake generated other frequencies that only resulted in resonance in small items. It was striking to see, especially in the supermarkets, all the cans and bottles which contained fluids turned upside down or fallen to the ground, while the bigger items or those containing dry goods were largely unaffected (see a.o. Tonga online news). There was very little damage reported in Tonga apart from pictures fallen from the walls or items tumbled down from cupboards and shelves.

• The century old, Catholic church in Lapaha got cracks in the cement of its tower and several stones fell down, leaving the steeple in a somewhat unstable position.
• The tower of a 60 year old church, of the Free church of Tonga in Veitongo, collapsed, the steeple came down and several walls cracked beyond repair. As in Lapaha, the faithful continued their services inside.
• During the quake a Korean business man jumped in panic from his second floor hotel room and got hurt in the fall. He was brought to the hospital where he had to wait a long time for any help as power was off and most staff off duty (as that day was a public holiday).
• The American wharf in Nukuʻalofa got some cracks in addition to those caused by the 1977 earthquake.
• A ship, sunk in 1949 near Toula, Vavaʻu apparently burst open and its load of copra came floating to the ocean surface.
• A landslide occurred at Hunga island in Vavaʻu, when the ground at a steep cliff along the shore began gliding into the sea.
• In Haʻapai, the islands closest to the epicentre, the wharf was damaged and a number of water-pipes and telephone lines were broken. Niuʻui hospital suffered severe damage beyond repair.