Underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga felt across the globe, Tsunami waves hit Pacific coastlines
The underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga caused "significant damage" to the island nation's capital Nuku'alofa. The city is reportedly covered in a thick volume of volcanic dust and communications are cut off.
Tonga volcano eruption: A massive underwater volcanic eruption was recorded in the small island country of Tonga on January 15, 2022. The event triggered Tsunami warning along the Pacific coast. Tsunami waves were seen crashing onto the shores in Tonga but the full extent of damage is unclear as the Pacific Island nation remains cut off from the world with communications line down.
The force of the volcanic eruption was such that Tsunami warnings were issued in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Russia, Chile and the United States. Tsunami waves were observed in the southern Japanese island of Amami-Oshima and many other places along the coastline on January 16th.
Japan's Meteorological Agency had issued tsunami warnings for the Amami Islands and the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture. A 120-centimeter tsunami wave was observed in Kominato on Amami-Oshima Island. Besides this, tsunami waves up to 90 centimetres were observed along Japan's Pacific coast from the southern island of Kyushu to the northern island of Hokkaido.
An evacuation order was issued for at least 230,000 people in eight prefectures of the country. People were advised to stay on high alert and evacuate to higher ground. Russia also issued tsunami warnings, as waves of up to 20 centimetres were expected in Russia's Kuril Islands. Over 100 families were also evacuated from shoreline Samoan villages.
Know about Tonga volcano eruption in 7 points
1. A massive volcanic eruption was reported from the underwater Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga, a South Pacific Island country.
2. The volcanic eruption was so powerful that it was recorded around the world. It triggered a tsunami warning that flooded Pacific coastlines from Japan to the United States.
3. The underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga caused "significant damage" to the island nation's capital Nuku'alofa. The city is reportedly covered in a thick volume of volcanic dust and communications are cut off.
4. The ash cloud in Tonga has reportedly contaminated its water supply and caused severe air pollution and the nation is in need of water supplies.
5. Tonga's King Tupou VI was reportedly evacuated from the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa and taken to a villa away from the coastline.
6. Satellite images show the long, rumbling eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which spewed smoke and ash in the air, with a thunderous roar that was heard 10,000 kilometres (6,000 miles) away in Alaska.
7. The volcanic eruption lasted for about eight minutes and sent plumes of gas, ash and smoke several kilometres into the air.
Casualties and Impact on Tonga
There have been no reports of injury or death so far but a full assessment of the situation is still pending with communication lines still down. As per New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa has suffered “significant” damage from the powerful undersea volcanic eruption.
New Zealand Defence Ministry informed that the nation will be sending an air force reconnaissance aircraft "as soon as atmospheric conditions allow."
Tsunami waves hit Pacific coast
The massive underwater eruption triggered tsunamis across the Pacific with waves of 1.74 metres observed over 10000km away in Chanaral, Chile and smaller waves observed along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico.
Santa Cruz in California, US was hit by flooding due to a tidal surge generated by the tsunami. Peru also closed almost 22 ports as a precaution and waves of around 1.2 metres hit along Japan's Pacific coast.
Japan lifts tsunami warning
Japan cancelled tsunami warnings that were issued after the massive volcanic eruption for all its regions since the threat has passed. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii also stated that the threat from the eruption had passed.
