Tsunami Alert Raised as Underwater Volcanic Eruptions Sent Giant Waves to Tonga

Giant waves have rocked Tonga. Other places, including New Zealand, have issued formal warnings of dangerous waters due to another powerful, underwater volcanic eruption.

(Photo : Photo by MARY LYN FONUA/AFP via Getty Images)
This picture taken on December 21, 2021 shows white gaseous clouds rising from the Hunga Ha'apai eruption seen from the Patangata coastline near Tongan capital Nuku'alofa. - A huge dust cloud spewed out when a volcano erupted in Tonga this week could result in showers of acid rain across the Pacific kingdom, emergency authorities have warned. (Photo by Mary Lyn FONUA / AFP) (Photo by MARY LYN FONUA/AFP via Getty Images)

Tonga has a population of around 105,000 people.

Underwater Volcanic Eruption

On Saturday, an underwater volcano in the Pacific island of Tonga erupted spectacularly, sending massive waves crashing across the coast and people rushing to higher ground.

Spot Report

There were no immediate reports of injuries or the extent of the damage. According to a video shared on social media, large waves were seen coming ashore in coastal regions, whirling around homes and structures.

According to video footage, waves have washed into homes, buildings, and a church in Tonga, but no injuries or fatalities have been reported. As residents fled to higher ground amid frightened screams, one Tongan resident said on social media, "Pray for us."

The tsunami occurs when an undersea volcano, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai, erupts, spewing ash, steam, and gas up to 17 kilometers into the air.

Related Article: Scientists Believe There's an Enormous Supervolcano Hiding Underneath Alaska

Taking Actions

It was reported that New Zealand's military was monitoring the situation and was on standby, ready to assist if needed.

Tsunami Warning

A tsunami warning was issued for the whole archipelago by the Tonga Meteorological Services, and data from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center revealed waves of 80 centimeters (2.6 feet) had been observed.

Authorities in Fiji and Samoa, two neighboring island nations, warned people to stay away from the beach due to strong currents and high waves. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, slight oceanic activity around the Japanese coasts is unlikely to cause any harm.

Evacuation

According to the Islands Business news site, Tonga's King Tupou VI was evacuated from his palace near the shore by a convoy of police and military forces. He was one among the numerous inhabitants who took to the hills.

A Series of Eruptions

The latest sequence of dramatic eruptions was the explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano.

Dr. Faka'iloatonga Taumoefolau, a Twitter user, shared a video of waves slamming onshore.

As he wrote in a subsequent post, "Can practically hear the volcanic explosion. Sounds very severe." "Raining ash and small stones, blackness blanketing the sky," he added. According to the Matangi Tonga news site, scientists recorded tremendous explosions, thunder, and lightning around the volcano when it began erupting early Friday. A 5-kilometer (3-mile) broad plume rose into the air, reaching a height of nearly 20 kilometers, according to satellite photographs (12 miles). Officials in New Zealand, more than 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) distant, warned of storm surges due to the eruption.

Following a significant volcanic eruption, some sections of New Zealand should anticipate "strong and irregular currents and unexpected surges near the coast," according to the National Emergency Management Agency.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the threat to American Samoa looked to have gone late Saturday, though small sea oscillations might linger.

The volcano lies roughly 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Nuku'alofa, the island's capital. A series of eruptions in the area in late 2014 and early 2015 formed a small new island and interrupted international aviation access to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

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