The eruption of a submarine volcano near the island nation of Tonga has sparked tsunami warnings across much of the Pacific. Tongan media reported that tidal waves inundated properties on the main island of Tongatapu after the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano. It had rained ash and telephone connections had failed. A tsunami warning was issued for all of Tonga on Saturday, according to the local weather agency.
The extent of the damage was initially unclear late in the evening (local time). According to media reports, Tonga’s King Tupou VI. brought to safety from the royal palace in the capital Nuku’alofa. According to the Australian Meteorological Agency, a 1.2 meter high wave was observed in the city. From Earth orbit, satellites were able to broadcast clear images of the volcanic eruption in the Pacific.
The authorities of other Pacific countries also issued tsunami warnings, including Samoa and New Zealand. People in Fiji have been urged to avoid the coasts “because of strong currents and dangerous waves”. The US National Weather Service (NOAA) has lifted the tsunami warning for American Samoa. The volcanic eruption led to a tsunami. Based on the available data, it can be assumed that the tsunami danger is over, but that there could still be fluctuations in sea level.
The volcano erupted on Friday and, according to the Tongan authorities, ejected ash, steam and gas up to 20 kilometers into the air. Accordingly, small tsunami waves of up to 30 centimeters were registered the day before. 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).