Tonga:
A strong preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean.
- It is a sovereign country in Polynesia, composed of an archipelago of islands located in the South Pacific Ocean.
- Neighbouring countries include Fiji to the west, Cook Islands to the east and Samoa north.
- These islands are divided into three main groups: Tongatapu in the south, Ha‘apai in the center, and Vava‘u in the north.
- The western islands (making up the Tongan Volcanic Arch) are all of volcanic origin; the eastern islands are nonvolcanic and are composed of coral limestone and sand
- The capital city of Tonga is Nukuʻalofa, situated on the northern shore of Tongatapu Island.
- It features flat terrain with limestone and coral formations.
- Mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock.
- The highest point in this region Kao Island in the Haʻapai group.
- Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance and Marine Protected Areas Action Groups.
