Tsunami waves caused by a gigantic volcanic eruption hit Tonga, in the Pacific Ocean, on Saturday and have put Chile, Japan and the United States on alert.
The eruption of the volcano submarine Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai has caused powerful waves in the South Pacific that are expected to have repercussions in several countries.
The United States warned this Saturday that the tsunami could affect the west coast of the country -California and even Alaska- and advised those who live in those areas to move away from the coast as a precautionary measure.
In addition, the National Emergency Office (Onemi) of Chile warned about the possibility of a “tsunami” reaching Easter Island. minor”, and has asked the population to leave the beach area.
Japan has also issued an alert and has asked its citizens to move away from the coast of the Peaceful. Tsunami waves of 1.2 meters in height were recorded on a Japanese island.
In general, strong currents and waves are expected, but a large tsunami is unlikely.
What has happened in Tonga?
Videos on social networks show the irruption of water in Tonga through a church and several houses. Witnesses also describe ash falling over the capital, Nukuʻalofa.
Hours earlier, the tsunami warning caused residents of this country to rush to get to safety in higher areas.
The capital of Tonga is just 65 kilometers north of the volcano.
Resident Mere Taufa said the eruption occurred as her family was preparing for dinner. His younger brother thought it was bombs exploding nearby.
“My first instinct was to take cover under the table, I grabbed my little sister and yelled at my parents and others in the house to do the same”, according to statements collected by the news site Stuff.co.nz.
Taufa added that the next thing he knew, the water was penetrating quickly into his house.
“You could hear screams everywhere, people crying for their safety, so that everyone could reach higher ground”, he declared.
According to the Geological Survey of Tonga, the columns of gas, smoke and ash expelled by the volcano reached kilometers in the sky.
Tsunami videos out of Tonga 🇹🇴 this afternoon following the Volcano Eruption. pic.twitter.com/JTIcEdbpGe
— Jese Tuisinu (@JTuisinu) January 15, 122729801
Professor Shane Cronin. volcanologist from the University of Auckland (New Zealand), said that the eruption was one of the largest in Tonga in recent 30 years.
“It’s a pretty big event, at least one of the most significant eruptions of the last decade”, Cronin told the BBC
“ The most remarkable thing is how fast and violent it spreads. This one was bigger, broader and produced much more ash. I predict that there will be many centimeters of ash deposited on Tonga”, added the expert.
The eruption of eight minutes was so violent that it could be heard as “loud thunder” in Fiji, more than 300 kilometers away , according to officials in Suva, the capital.
Stay safe everyone 🇹🇴 pic.twitter.com/OhrrxJmXAW
— Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau ( @sakakimoana) January , 122729801
Other Government Alerts
The Fijian government has issued tsunami warnings and open evacuation centers for residents of low-lying coastal areas.
Vanuatu, another Pacific island nation, issued a similar warning .
An Australian government spokesperson said the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are monitoring the situation and ready to provide support.
The tsunami alert was also issued for areas on the east coast of Australia and Tasmania.
The Australian authorities asked the population in the eastern state of New South Wales to get out of the sea and stay away from the shore.
In New Zealand, which is more than 2,30 kilometers, officials have warned of possible storms.
The The National Emergency Management Agency said coastal areas in the north and east of the North Island could experience “unusual strong currents and unpredictable shore swells”.
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