Geospatial information for sustainable food systems

Impacts on cropland due to flooding following Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption in Tonga

Year published: 15/02/2022

The Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano began to erupt on the 14th January 2022 and reached a powerful peak on the 15th January 2022. The eruption released massive amounts of ash and caused a tsunami, resulting in the potential inundation of areas across the region. In this assessment, four key Areas Of Interest (AOIs) have been identified and these are 1) Tongatapu, 2) Eua, 3) Ha’apai and, 4) Vava’u, based on the administrative boundaries from Global Administrative areas (GADM) to evaluate flooded cropland following the eruption. 

A rapid flood impact assessment was conducted by the FAO Geospatial Unit at Land and Water Division (NSL) using radar and optical imagery to estimate the damages to cropland caused by the Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption in Tonga on 14th January 2022.