TONGA – Dramatic footage of high waves rolling through homes here is making its rounds on social media after the Pacific Island nation issued a tsunami warning hours ago.
The volcanic island Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apa erupted at 12.10pm Malaysian time and was followed by a 1.2m tsunami seen at the capital Nuku’alofa 20 minutes later, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The Tonga Meteorological Service had issued a warning earlier today, after ongoing underwater volcanic activity since yesterday.
Aside from the waves, footage showed it was raining ash and pebbles, darkening the skies of the island nation. Homes were also inundated, including Tonga’s royal palace in the capital.
Tonga Geological Services head Taaniela Kula was quoted as saying that the eruption had a radius of 260km.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s national weather authority MetService said its weather stations detected a “pressure surge from the latest eruption”.
Fiji residents reported being able to hear and feel the eruption, as the country issued an advisory warning for residents to stay out of the water and away from the shore.
The United States also issued a tsunami warning to American Samoa. – The Vibes, January 15, 2022
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