The Pacific country of Tonga experienced a large volcanic eruption Saturday followed by a tsunami that flooded parts of the capital, Nuku’alofa, which is lies just 65km north of the volcano.
According to the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the surge wave reached a height of 2.7 feet in Nuku’alofa. Meanwhile, there is no information on property damage or casualties till yet.
A tsunami warning sent residents scrambling to higher ground.
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano sent shockwaves across the South Pacific.
The Tonga Geological Services said that the plumes of gas, smoke and ash pouring from the volcano reached 20km into the sky.
Huge volcanic eruption near Tonga. Reports of tsunami there and it's gone pitch black. Lots of lightning too. #tonga pic.twitter.com/Eia4fidPRc
— Rick Threlfall (@RickThrelfall) January 15, 2022
