Rock'n and Roll'n in Tonga

(CNN) -- A tsunami warning was issued and then canceled Friday shortly after a major earthquake struck early Friday off the coast of Tonga.
The earthquake "generated a small tsunami," but there is "no evidence of destructive waves," said Stewart Weinstein, assistant director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii.
Robert Cessaro, a geophysicist with the center, said: "There's a tsunami in the water, but it's not gonna do much."
On the largest island in the Tonga chain, Tongatapu, in the capital city of Nukualofa, a clerk at the International Dateline Hotel said the earthquake was felt but caused no damage.
At the Fafa Island Resort, off Nukualofa, Joseph Sanladerer told CNN that the earthquake woke up guests and shook wine glasses from racks, but caused no significant damage. iReport: Did you feel the quake?
The tsunami center issued the regional tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific near the quake's epicenter, about 213 kilometers (132 miles) south-southeast of Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The quake struck at 6:17 a.m. local time (6:17 p.m. GMT).
At a depth of just 6.2 miles (10 km), it is considered a shallow earthquake. Typically, the shallower the quake, the more destructive potential it carries. But that is not always the case.
The USGS recorded the quake as 7.9 magnitude; the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said it was 7.7. There were no immediate reports of damage or death.
The earthquake struck a few hours after a volcano erupted off Tongatapu, Tonga, about 200 km away.
Ken Hudnut, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Pasadena, California, said: "The association with the volcanic activity seems to be an interesting added dimension to this. It's not clear at this point that there is a direct association, but it seems suggestive at this point."



Elder Tulane's thoughts on the events...
Hey mom
Yeah the earthquake was pretty cool. It happened around 8 o'clock on Friday morning if I remember right. I was just laying on my bed when it happened. It shook us really good but there was no damage done anywhere. It lasted for about a minute and was pretty fun haha. I didn’t find out about the tsunami until later, they were gunna have to move a few missionaries but then the warning got canceled so everything was ok. I’m not positive but I’m pretty sure I would have been safe where I was.

Transfers were today and I’m staying in Holonga but I’m getting a new comp, he is on his way from Vava'u so it will take a day or two for him to get here. In the mean time I’m staying with my district leaders.

This week has been kinda tough, I've been sick and haven't been able to eat much; mostly head aches and stomach pains. The whole thing has made me pretty homesick (haha) but don’t worry its nothing serious and our nurse, Sister Garrett, is taking real good care of me.
Well it was great to hear from you. I miss you guys like crazy
Elder Tulane

tHe HaKA!!!

Here is Elder Tulane learning the HAKA in the MTC! He is already our "little" Tongan!!

E-mails March 2, 2009

Hey mom, thanks for the letters! I have good news but I already wrote about it to dad, so you will just have to ask him what happened cause I am not gonna write all that twice! Ha ha! Missionaries here all have their own houses, we live on the Stake President's property, but in seperate houses. Our house has one room with a sink and 2 beds (it is smaller than my bedroom at home), and a bathroom with another sink, toilet and shower. We have running water but it is cold, which really doesn't bother me. We have a scheduled fafanga (meal) every morning and night with different families in the ward. The houses here remind me of Charlie Bucket's house (from Willey Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). I have not been able to finish a full meal yet, ha ha! My companion is really good. The AP told me that Pres. McMurry was worried that my MTC experience wasn't great since I was a solo missionary, so he hooked me up with the best elder they had!!! I'm getting plenty of good pictures. Anything else you want to know, just ask and I'll be happy to fill you in! Oh yeah, I'm on Tongatapu, which is the main island, in a town called Holonga. But our area also covers the towns of Malapo and Pelehake. I love you all and miss you very much. Ofa lahi atu! (Much love to you!)

Elder Tulane



Hey dad, its good to hear from you. I’m more adjusted this week and I’m sure that I will continue to adjust with every week. I have some big news... I got my first baptism yesterday! (Sunday). The kids name was Nepote. He is about 18 years old and we only started teaching him less than 2 weeks ago, so it happened pretty fast. My companion let me do the honors, since I’ve never baptized anyone before. It was awesome. I said the whole prayer in Tongan and even got to wear the white tupenu. The fonts are outside here so that was really cool as well. I’ve been to Liahona a few times, mostly on P-days when I go with the other palangi, (white) elders, on the island to language study with President Shumway. How is everything going back home? I miss you guys very much. Send all my love to the family.

Elder Tulane


If any one has any questions you would like us to e-mail Stan and ask, just post up a comment!