The eruption of an underwater volcano off Tonga, which triggered a tsunami warning for several South Pacific island nations, is seen in an image from the NOAA GOES-West satellite taken at 05:00 GMT January 15, 2022. CIRA/NOAA/Handout via REUTERS - REUTERSPixAn underwater volcano in the South Pacific erupted yesterday with a stunning blast, sending tsunami waves onto nearby Tonga and to the north in Japan, with warnings of dangerous ocean surges issued as far away as the US West Coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said tsunami reached that country’s Pacific coast, too, with waves as high as three meters possible. “It was massive, the ground shook, our house was shaking. It came in waves. My younger brother thought bombs were exploding nearby,” Taufa told the Stuff news website. The volcano’s eruption lasted at least eight minutes and sent plumes of gas, ash and smoke several kilometres into the air.
Tsunami warnings were issued for American Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Chile and Australia — where authorities said a swathe of coastline, including Sydney, could be hit by tsunami waves. “A Tsunami is occurring. Remember: the first wave may not be that largest. Move away from the shore and head to high ground,” the US National Tsunami Warning Center wrote.
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