Pacific
After eruption of undersea volcano: Tsunami waves hit coasts in Japan, New Zealand and Tonga
Two volcano eruptions have shaken the region since Friday
© Planet Labs Pbc / dpa
The eruption of the undersea volcano was impressive, the consequences are now being felt around the Pacific. Tsunami waves were registered in several countries.
The explosion can be heard thousands of kilometers away, and clouds of ash are piling up in the South Pacific: the massive eruption of a submarine volcano near the island of Tonga put many Pacific countries on alert over the weekend and triggered tidal waves. Tsunami waves were recorded not only in Tonga, but also in New Zealand, Japan and Fiji.
Flooding in Santa Cruz, California, has also been attributed to the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai submarine volcano. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Sunday there had been no official reports of injuries or deaths. The communication link with Tonga was initially massively restricted. The USA and the United Nations promised help. According to the aid organization Save the Children, a person was missing in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, as reported by Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
Two outbreaks in two days
The submarine volcano, about 40 miles from Tonga’s capital, erupted for two days in a row. According to official information, only small tsunami waves were registered after the first eruption on Friday. According to media reports, the second eruption on Saturday could also be heard in New Zealand, 2000 kilometers away. It had temporarily led to tsunami warnings in many parts of the Pacific. People have been urged to stay away from coastal areas. Residents of Tonga were ordered to move to higher ground.
Ardern said a tsunami “significantly hit” the north side of Nuku’alofa. According to the Australian Meteorological Service, the wave was 1.2 meters high. According to the New Zealand Prime Minister, boats and boulders were washed ashore and buildings were damaged. Tonga was covered in volcanic dust as a result of the volcanic eruption, and communications with the island kingdom in the South Pacific were restricted because an undersea cable was damaged. Mobile phones worked accordingly.
Local media in Tonga reported an ash shower, flooding of houses and disruption of telephone and electricity connections. Video clips posted on social media showed waves inundating properties and buildings in Tonga. Media released satellite images showing the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano. The ash was thrown up to 20 kilometers into the air, it said.
Communication to Tonga disrupted
Ardern said authorities are working to restore communications with Tonga as soon as possible. At the moment, “unfortunately, not much information is available from the outer islands (…).” Tonga’s water supply is a priority. The New Zealand Defense Forces would attempt to launch a surveillance flight on Monday. The ash makes flying unsafe. A naval ship was also put on standby.
The weather agency in Japan lifted a tsunami warning for the Pacific coast on Sunday. Tidal waves of around one meter high had previously been recorded on the coast of northeastern Iwate Prefecture and in southwestern Amami, it said. There were no reports of damage or injuries. Tsunami waves were also reported from New Zealand, where several boats sank at a marina in Northland after a 1.3 meter tidal wave.
Save the Children Fiji executive director Shairana Ali said Fiji and Vanuatu were hit by tidal and tsunami waves. There was damage in the coastal areas, but no fatalities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “deeply concerned”. The UN stands ready to provide support. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted: “The United States stands ready to provide support to our Pacific neighbors.”
Consequences feared as far as Alaska
The US National Weather Service (NOAA) announced on Saturday that the effects could also be felt on parts of the west coast of the country and in Alaska. A tsunami advisory was also issued for Hawaii. So far, however, no damage has been reported there, it said. The notices were lifted on Sunday.
Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai has been active since December. The volcano is about 30 kilometers southeast of Tonga’s Fonuafo’ou Island (also known as Falcon Island). Experts did not rule out further volcanic activity and tsunami warnings. This could continue for weeks or even years, Shane Cronin, a professor of geosciences at the University of Auckland, was quoted as saying by RNZ. “In the interests of the people of Tonga, I hope not.”