An undersea volcano erupted near the South Pacific nation of Tonga, triggering warnings across the Pacific and causing strong waves as far away as California.
An undersea volcano erupted near the South Pacific nation of Tonga, triggering warnings across the Pacific and causing strong waves as far away as California. Undersea volcano erupts near Tonga, sending tsunamis across the Pacific. What is the impact on the U.S. right now? An underwater volcano erupted on Saturday near the remote Pacific nation of Tonga, triggering tsunami warnings across the South Pacific and for the West Coast of the United States, and causing strong waves and currents in many coastal areas. The volcano’s eruption was dramatic, sending plumes of gas and ash thousands of feet into the atmosphere, though early reports of damage were limited. A four-foot tsunami wave was reported to have hit Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, sending people rushing to higher ground, and witnesses said ash had fallen from the sky. There were no immediate official reports on the extent of injuries or damages, but internet service in the country was disrupted, according to The Associated Press, making it difficult to assess. Despite Tonga’s geographical isolation, a booming sound after the initial eruption was heard as far away as New Zealand,1,100 miles northeast of the archipelago’s main island of Tongatapu. In the United States, officials urged residents of coastal areas in much of the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii to stay away from the coastline and move to higher ground. In Japan, the country’s meteorological agency reported that a four-foot wave had reached the remote southern island of Amami Oshima, according to Reuters, and that smaller surges had hit other areas along Japan’s Pacific Coast.
