The eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga has prompted widespread tsunami warnings. Image: Tonga Geological Services
Tonga volcanic eruption prompts tsunami concerns in US, Japan
The major volcanic eruption near Tonga has seen tsunami warnings as far as the United States with reports of waves in Japan.
The eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga has prompted widespread tsunami warnings. Image: Tonga Geological Services
Tsunami warnings were issued for the entire US West Coast following a major volcanic eruption across the Pacific Ocean in Tonga. Tsunami waves have triggered low-level flooding as far as Hawaii.
The US National Weather Service responded to the event by issuing tsunami warnings from the bottom of California to the tip of Alaska’s Aleutian islands. Authorities predicted waves of up to a metre, strong rip currents and coastal flooding.
“Move off the beach and out of harbors and marinas in these areas,”
US National Weather Service
Eruption aftermath prompts widespread warnings
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioned that a tsunami is ‘currently being observed’ in Hawaii but that at the time there was no reported damage and only minor flooding throughout the islands.
In the aftermath of the eruptions Tongans fled to higher ground with a four-foot wave observed in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa.
Furthermore, the eruption prompted tsunami warnings being issued throughout the Pacific. The countries included New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and even Australia. Reports of tsunami waves as far as Japan have also surfaced.
The most recent eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano lasted eight minutes and propelled gas, ash and smoke several kilometres into the air.
This just hours following a separate tsunami warning being lifted after an earlier eruption. It came just a few hours after a separate Friday tsunami warning was lifted due to a previous eruption.
Tonga eruption impact
Footage of the aftermath includes people scrambling to reach safety as large waves hit the shores of nearby coasts. Additionally, video clips of ash blocking out the sun in nearby Tonga.
However, New Zealand’s National Management Agency, over 1 000 kilometers away, has warned citizens against “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore as a result of the eruption.”
The danger puts swimmers, surfers, people fishing and small boats at risk with people near the ocean cautioned to move further inland. Officials warned of a danger to “swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats” and people near the ocean should move inland.
Satellite images of the eruption have quickly gone viral, a spectacle from as far as outer space. Thankfully, no casualties or injuries have been reported thus far. However, significant damage has been done by the resulting tsunamis.
