Issue 96 - May 2023

The 2022 Volcanic Explosion in Tonga Was the Largest Natural Explosion in Over a Century

A new study led by scientists at the University of Miami and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation measured the size of the Tongan tsunami and found that it was similar in size to the one caused by the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. Despite its size, the mega-tsunami generated enormous waves but claimed few lives.

Waves crashing on the reef surrounding an island in Tonga. Coral reefs help protect coastal communities from large waves and storms.

The 2022 eruption of a submarine volcano in Tonga was more powerful than the largest U.S. nuclear explosion, according to a new study led by scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation.

The 15-megaton volcanic explosion from Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, one of the largest natural explosions in more than a century, generated a mega-tsunami with waves up to 45-meters high (148 feet) along the coast of Tonga’s Tofua Island and waves up to 17 meters (56 feet) on Tongatapu, the country’s most populated island.

In a new analysis in Science Advances, researchers used a combination of before-and-after satellite imagery, drone mapping, field observations collected by scientists at The University of Auckland, and high-resolution bathymetric maps from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation’s Global Reef Expedition, to produce a tsunami simulation of the Tongan Archipelago. The results showed how the complex shallow bathymetry in the region acted as a low-velocity wave trap, capturing a more than hour-long tsunami with waves up to 85 meters (279 feet) high one minute after the initial explosion.

**Drone imaged post-tsunami disturbances along the south-southwest flank of Tofua Island**
(A) Maxar Worldview-02 view of SSW Tofua, with arrow indicating the area of DJI drone imaging (14 October 2022). (B) Oblique ray-traced perspective view of the SSW flanks of Tofua developed from DJI drone data as a structure-from-motion DEM by NASA *Goddard*. Spatial resolution of this DEM is 8 cm, with ortho-image mosaic of drone images projected atop the topography. Of the 1500 m of coastline imaged, approximately 300 m show signs of recent disturbance (in the DEM), consistent with the anticipated impact of the 15 January 2022 megatsunami. Drone images (C to F) emphasize disturbances ranging in height from 30 to 70 m, including landslides (C, D, and D), fresh debris fans, and debris chutes with transported trees (E and G). DJI drone data were acquired by S.J.C.

The submarine volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, which forms the island chain of Tonga and is a result of the convergence of the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates, rivaled the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa that killed over 36,000 people.

“Despite its size and long duration, the mega-tsumani that resulted from Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai claimed few lives,” said Sam Purkis, professor and chair of the Department of Marine Geosciences at the Rosenstiel School and chief scientist at the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. “The main factors that led to this, we suggest, are the quirk of the location, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased evaluation drills and awareness efforts carried out in Tonga in the years prior to the eruption.”

The simulation also suggested that the eruption location relative to urban centers saved Tonga from a worse outcome.

“While 2022 may have been a lucky escape, other submarine volcanoes possess the capacity to spawn a future tsunami at the same scale, said Purkis. “This eruption holds important lessons for both past and future tsunamis in Tonga and beyond. The eruption was an excellent natural laboratory to test hypotheses and models that can be deployed elsewhere to improve future disaster preparations, and better understand similar eruptions and subsequent tsunami as preserved in antiquity and in the geologic record.”

The data that made this modeling possible came from an unexpected source. In 2013, scientists from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation came to Tonga to map and survey their coral reefs as part of the Global Reef Expedition (GRE), a 10-year research mission to assess the state of coral reefs around the world. As part of this research mission, scientists created ultra-high-resolution bathymetry maps of the Tongan Archipelago, which were needed to build detailed habitat maps of Tonga’s coral reefs. These bathymetry maps, which were generated from satellite imagery and acoustic measurements recorded in the field, were integral in creating the tsunami simulation.

“It is fantastic to see the Global Reef Expedition data being used not only for coral reef ecology and conservation studies in the classic sense, but that these data are important for understanding the complexity of seismically active regions in the ocean,” said Alexandra Dempsey, the Director of Science Management at the Living Oceans Foundations and one of the paper’s authors. “Time and again, the high quality of the data from the GRE is proving to pay off in dividends with new and exciting results.”

Although the data was originally collected to support coral reef conservation, this is one of the many ways data from the Global Reef Expedition is being used to advance ocean science.

As for the reefs in Tonga, Dempsey says that more surveying and reconnaissance field work is needed to truly see how the tsunami has impacted the reefs around Tonga. Having the baseline data of the state of the reefs prior to the tsunami, such as the coral reef surveys the Foundation collected on GRE, will be critical for determining those impacts as well.

The study, titled “The 2022 Hunga-Tonga Megatsunami: Near-Field Simulation of a Once-in-a-Century Event,” was published in the April issue of Science Advances. The authors include: Sam Purkis and Nathan Fitzpatrick from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, Alexandra Dempsey from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation; Steven Ward from the University of California, Santa Cruz; James Garvin and Dan Slayback from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Shane J. Cronin from the University of Auckland and Monica Palaseanu-Lovejoy from the U.S. Geological Survey.

The study was supported by grants from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation – Global Reef Expedition, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Auckland, and the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Endeavour Fund Project.

Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation:

The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is a US-based nonprofit environmental organization that protects and restores the world’s oceans through scientific research, outreach, and education. As part of its commitment to Science Without Borders®, the Living Oceans Foundation provides data and information to organizations, governments, scientists, and local communities so that they can use the latest science to work toward sustainable ocean protection.

www.livingoceansfoundation.org

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BOATLIFE: Exploring The Freedom of Maritime Living

Issue 96 - May 2023

Event Summary: SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup and Coral Restoration from April 30, 2023

At Koh Kwang Beach, our volunteers joined forces to tackle the daunting task of cleaning up our shores. Together, we collected over 260 kg of trash, demonstrating that when we unite in purpose, we can make a tangible difference. While most of the trash was unrecyclable, this sobering reality only fuels our determination to find innovative solutions and promote responsible consumption.

But our efforts extend far beyond the beach cleanup. Last month, we embarked on an exciting journey of coral restoration in the captivating Krabi region. We are super excited to report that we have already nurtured 334 corals in our growing coral nursery. The progress is inspiring, with six and a half of the eight planned legs completed. Each coral nurtured brings us closer to creating a thriving underwater ecosystem, one that will serve as a testament to our collective dedication.

What’s even more exciting is that our coral garden will be designed in the shape of our logo. This visual representation not only symbolizes our commitment to marine conservation but also acts as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who witness it. It serves as a reminder that together, we can turn dreams into reality and create a sustainable future for our oceans.

While our achievements are undoubtedly worth celebrating, we invite you to join us in supporting our ongoing initiatives. Your generous contributions can help us continue organizing beach cleanup events, nurturing corals, and expanding our conservation efforts.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our dedicated volunteers, supporters, and partners. Your unwavering dedication and passion fuel our progress, and we are honoured to have you as part of our SEVENSEAS Media family. Let us continue to work hand in hand, preserving our precious oceans and inspiring others to join our cause. However, we recognize that our journey requires continued support to make a lasting impact.

To all the kind souls who resonate with our mission, we humbly ask for your support. Your donations to SEVENSEAS Media will directly contribute to the success of our beach cleanup and coral restoration events. With your generosity, we can expand our reach, enhance our efforts, and create an even greater positive change for our oceans and marine life.

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Issue 96 - May 2023

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – May 2023 – Issue 96

Feature Destination

Martinique: A Paradise Island in the Heart of the Caribbean

As you step off the plane and feel the warm sun on your skin, you’ll know you’ve arrived in Martinique, a tropical paradise in the heart of the Caribbean. With its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforests, Martinique is the ultimate destination for those seeking relaxation, adventure, and culture. Read more…

The Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine

The Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine (FPBM) in Martinique is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of marine biodiversity in Martinique and the Caribbean region. Read more…

Martinique’s Marine Protected Areas

Martinique, a French overseas territory located in the Caribbean, is home to several marine protected areas (MPAs) that are crucial for the conservation of its marine ecosystem. MPAs are designated areas that aim to protect and conserve marine life and habitats while allowing for sustainable use by humans. Read more…

NEWSROOM

Scientists Discover Three New Hydrothermal Vent Fields on Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Scientists have discovered three new hydrothermal vent fields over a 434-mile-long stretch of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the first scientific expedition aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s recently launched research vessel Falkor (too). Read more…

Atlantic Ocean off Florida Spawns a Giant Sargassum Blob Due to Climate Change & Nutrient Pollution

The Sargassum Blob, a vast expanse of sargassum weed the size of Texas, has been discovered far out in the Atlantic Ocean below the Sargasso Sea. Sargassum weed was not expected here for lack of nutrients. Read more…

The 2022 Volcanic Explosion in Tonga Was the Largest Natural Explosion in Over a Century

SAWFISH NEWS: Sawfish Experts Mark Endangered Species Listing 20th Anniversary

Twenty years after the Smalltooth Sawfish was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), experts on the associated Recovery Team met in the Everglades to share updates, agree on the next steps for improved conservation, conduct additional field research, and generally celebrate the species. Read more…

Ocean Artist & Scientific Illustrator, on The Importance of Art in Supporting Ocean Conservation

Janavi Kramer is an internationally-selling Ocean Artist and Scientific Illustrator based in Hertfordshire with a lifelong fascination with the Ocean. Using vibrant and visceral colours, her work emulates a unique quality that showcases the wonders of the Ocean. Read more…

PADI Launches Suite of Sustainability Initiatives to Unite Ocean Torchbearers On Earth Day

This Earth Day, PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is launching two powerful and complementing sustainability initiatives designed to empower tourists to travel with a purpose and create positive ocean change from abroad and from home. Read more…

Aquarium Releases Dozens of Rehabilitated Sea Turtles in N.C.

Two dozen sea turtles are back in the ocean waters off of North Carolina after undergoing months of rehabilitative care at the New England Aquarium. Biologists from the Aquarium drove the 24 turtles down to Fort Fisher, N.C., and released them Monday as a crowd of bystanders looked on. Read more…

Decades-Long Study Finds Endangered Whales are Having Fewer Babies

A world-class collaborative research project has found that the Australian population of southern right whales is calving less frequently and fewer whales visited our coastlines this whale season than expected, putting further pressure on the already endangered species. Read more…

BOATLIFE: Exploring The Freedom of Maritime Living

Hohonu, an award-winning Hawaiʻi-based climate tech startup, announced it has completed a $1.8 million pre-seed funding round to scale its efforts to provide actionable data and insights to mitigate coastal flooding both nationally and internationally including Asia and the Pacific. Read more…

What Can We Do to Save Dying Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs around the world are indeed still at great risk. A comprehensive survey by Canadian researchers in 2021 shows that the world’s oceans have lost about half of their coral cover since the 1950s. The non-profit Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network reports that upwards of 14 percent of the world’s coral reefs perished in just the last decade. Read more…

Greenwich to Host Conservation Champions’ Exhibition: Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier

“Greenwich is honored to welcome Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, two of the most globally celebrated photographers of our generation, for this exhibition and event series,” says Fred Camillo, the Town of Greenwich’s First Selectman. Read more…

“Race Against Time” To Discover Ocean Life Prompts Launch of Global Initiative

The largest programme in history to discover life in our ocean has been unveiled (April 27 2023) with the ambitious target of finding at least 100,000 new marine species in the first decade. Read more…

Second Annual Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz Launched Ahead of Earth Day, Tracking Plastic Pollution Trends in the U.S. National Parks

The 5 Gyres Institute announces the second annual Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz project, a community science initiative to track plastic pollution trends in U.S. National Parks and on federal lands. Volunteers around the country can participate by collecting trash at any land managed by the National Park Service and logging their findings. This data will contribute to a report that reveals the top items, materials, and brands of waste found across U.S. national parks and federal lands and outlines recommendations on the federal, local, and individual levels. Read more…

SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

In August 2022 CleanUp, we picked up over 80 kilogram of plastic, pieces of glasses, tractor tyre, and fishing nets from the beach in Krabi, Long Beach or Pan Beach. Of course, we would not be able to do it without your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to keep our publications and Thailand Cleanup Project afloat.

You can either make a direct financial contribution to SEVENSEAS Media through The Ocean Foundation website or connect us with potential donors by sending an email to Giacomo Abrusci, our Editor-in-Chief.

The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here.

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.

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Conservation Photography

Greenwich Hosted Conservation Champions’ Exhibition: Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier

“These artists/conservation champions have created some of the most iconic wildlife images of our modern-day culture. They are internationally acclaimed for harnessing the majestic beauty of their images to inspire change on our planet, via their 12 million followers worldwide. Greenwich is thrilled to host their new exhibition and Opening Reception events at C. Parker Gallery on the weekend of May 5,” adds Camillo.

The exclusive Tri-State appearance by the Award-Winning
Photographers Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier:
New exhibition kicks off SeaLegacy.org’s next chapter
(special events in Greenwich the weekend of May 5 ‒ free & open to the public).

The exhibition Double Exposure: Two Photographers, One Mission at C. Parker Gallery features more than 30 large-scale photographs by Nicklen and Mittermeier (on view May 1 ‒ June 26). Presented in partnership with the Town of Greenwich Conservation Commission, the Greenwich Shellfish Commission, and the Greenwich Point Conservancy, this new exhibition features several works which have never been exhibited to the public at this size and scope and is curated by C. Parker Gallery’s proprietor, Tiffany Benincasa. The Gallery is located at 409 Greenwich Avenue. More details about the Opening Reception events featuring Nicklen and Mittermeier, will be updated at cparkergallery.com (space is limited, RSVP required to info@cparkergallery.com). Learn more about the artists at sealegacy.org, paulnicklen.com and cristinamittermeier.com.

Defying Gravity, 2011 Ross Sea, Antarctica

“The C. Parker Gallery is thrilled to present the work of two of the most internationally acclaimed conservation photographers,” says Tiffany Benincasa, the Gallery’s curator and owner. “Their photographs are included in some of the world’s most important private collections, and have been featured as iconic images by major national media including National Geographic and TIME Magazine. This is an incredible opportunity to witness the beauty of nature in an intimate and personal way, to share their important message, and join their mission advocating for greater conservation and environmental awareness.”

Reflecting the Natural World in Extreme Conditions

*Parenthood*, Paul Nicklen (2011) Ross Sea, Antarctica

Paul Nicklen is a photographer, filmmaker, and marine biologist. His work is collected by film and music stars, and major celebrities, including:

Katie Couric, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Garner, Alec Baldwin, Prince Hussain Aga Kahn, and the International Photography Hall of Fame, among others. He forges a bond between subject and viewer through sensitivity and a singular eye for reflecting the natural world in extreme conditions. “I believe that art, especially photography, has the power to connect people to stories with such deep emotion, that their perspective of the world can change,” says Nicklen. “My work exists at the intersection of art, science, and conservation as a way to showcase the beauty that exists in nature.”

Red Curtain, Cristina Mittermeier (2021) Galapagos. Selected as one of the “10 Photographs That Made the World Wake Up to Climate Change.”

Cristina Mittermeier is hailed as one of the most influential conservation photographers of our time, dedicating her entire life to protecting the world’s oceans. She has visited more than 100 countries, and founded The International League of Conservation Photographers. She coined the phrase conservation photography. “Images can help us understand the urgency to protect wild places that so many of us realize is of the utmost importance,” says Mittermeier. “My work is about building a greater awareness of the responsibility of what it means
to be human.”

Their nonprofit SeaLegacy.org, which Nicklen and Mittermeier co-founded in 2014, has conducted over 45 global expeditions studying nearly 800 species, and has made an immeasurable impact on climate education worldwide. Both are sought-after speakers and presenters on stages from TED to National Geographic and in 2022, they each received Honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.

Polar Bears at Fjord across from Cape Fanshawe

More About the Artists:

Paul Nicklen has documented the beauty and plight of our planet for more than twenty years. His work is collected by Hollywood icons, rock stars and royalty. In 2019, he became the youngest person inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. He has said it is one thing to capture the natural world in a moment of grace and dignity, but that pales in comparison to an image that shines a brighter light on the environmental crisis and drives everyday people to action, even if only in some small way. His work has been singled out for creating a unique connection between image and viewer by featuring wild subjects in some of the most extreme conditions known on Earth. He is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and aligns with Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative on collaborative efforts to preserve the natural world. Nicklen has won more than thirty of the field’s most prestigious awards, including the BBC’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and the World Press Photo for Photojournalism. He has exhibited in galleries, museums and institutions around the world, including Hilton Asmus Contemporary (Chicago), Lyons Gallery (Australia), Galerie Gadcollection (Paris), Eisele Gallery (Cincinnati) and Fineart Oslo (Oslo).

Cristina Mittermeier was born in Mexico City in 1966. She graduated from the ITESM University in Mexico with a degree in Biochemical Engineering in Marine Sciences. She later attended the Fine Art Photography program at the Corcoran College for the Arts in Washington, D.C. She was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2018. Her Photographs have been exhibited in galleries around the World, including Hilton Asmus (Chicago), the Saatchi Gallery (London), C. Parker Gallery (Greenwich), and Eisele Gallery (Cincinnati). She is currently preparing for a solo exhibition at the prestigious Gallerie d’Italia in Turino, Italy. Mittermeier’s many awards include the Smithsonian Conservation Photographer of the Year; the Humanity Content Creator Award from HIPA;

the Imaging Award for Photographers Who Give Back; the Seattle Aquarium’s Sylvia Earle Medal; Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Award, and was named one of the “100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action.” She is a World Photographic Academy member; was the first female photographer to reach one million followers on Instagram; is a Sony Artisan of Imagery; and aligns with Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative on collaborative efforts to preserve the natural world.

C. Parker Gallery is a full-service art gallery and consultancy celebrating its tenth-year anniversary in Greenwich, Connecticut. Representing an extensive collection of works by traditional and contemporary artists, the Gallery is a recipient of the Best of Greenwich and Best of the Gold Coast awards.

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