Japan, Jan 16: An underwater volcano in the South Pacific erupted violently causing tsunami to hit Hawaii, Japan, and Tonga’s largest island, Tongatapu — sending waves flooding into the capital.
According to local media information, The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano, about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) southeast of Tonga’s Fonuafo’ou island, first erupted on Friday and a second time on Saturday around 5:26 p.m. local time.
The eruptions sent a plume of ash, gas and steam 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) into the air. Satellite imagery showed a massive ash cloud and shockwaves spreading from the eruption. Ash was falling from the sky in the Tonga capital, Nuku’alofa, Saturday evening and phone connections were down.
The eruption caused a severe tsunami on Tongatapu, where the capital is located, with waves flowing onto coastal roads and flooding properties.
#Tonga 🇹🇴🌋
Entre vapor de agua, rayos y flujos piroclásticos, esta fue la pesadilla que se vivió en las cercanías del volcán #HungaTongaHungaHaapai después de su gigantesca erupción de ayer. pic.twitter.com/fvRuOYM1YY
— Alejandro S. Méndez ⚒️ (@asalmendez) January 14, 2022
WATCH: Footage of massive #Tonga volcano eruption that caused Tsunami
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 15, 2022
The ongoing eruption of Tonga's Hunga Tonga volcano appears to be the most powerful and violent eruption of the 21st century. pic.twitter.com/VK0A1kQUSq
— US StormWatch (@US_Stormwatch) January 15, 2022