Tsunami warning in Tonga as volcano erupts at sea
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A tsunami warning was issued in the Pacific nation after the latest eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano.
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Tonga hit by Tsunami after a volcanic eruption
The Pacific nation of Tonga issued a tsunami warning on Saturday after an undersea volcano erupted.
Large waves are washing ashore after another violent volcanic eruption hit the island nation, driving government officials to issue a second tsunami warning in two days.
Video posted to social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas.
Stay safe everyone 🇹🇴 pic.twitter.com/OhrrxJmXAW
— Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau (@sakakimoana) January 15, 2022
The Tonga meteorological service said a tsunami warning had been put in force for all of Tonga.
The eruption on Saturday was the latest in a series of spectacular eruptions from the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano.
A Twitter user identified as Dr. Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau posted a video showing waves crashing ashore.
“Can literally hear the volcano eruption, sounds pretty violent,” he wrote, adding in a later post, “Raining ash and tiny pebbles, darkness blanketing the sky.”
The Matangi Tonga news site reported that scientists had observed massive explosions, thunder, and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting early Friday.
We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY following the Tongan eruption. We expect New Zealand coastal areas on the north and east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Islands to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.
— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) January 15, 2022
The site said satellite images showed a 5km (3 miles) wide plume of ash, steam, and gas rising up into the air to about 20km (12 miles).
More than 2,300km (1,400 miles) away in New Zealand, officials were warning of storm surges from the eruption. The National Emergency Management Agency said some parts of New Zealand could expect “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a large volcanic eruption.”
UPDATE 8: Tsunami watch upgraded to warning in American Samoa. People are advised to seek higher ground immediately
— james dyson (@jamesdyson22) January 15, 2022
Tsunami watch issued in Fiji
Abnormal wave signals now showing up on the Rarotonga stations upto 0.6 metres. pic.twitter.com/fJ1fKxtsud
Tsunami alerts have been issued for Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island. Residents of low-lying areas were urged to move to higher ground.
