Tsunami warning issued for Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand after eruption of underwater volcano

Warnings have been sent out in several countries, including Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand, after a huge underwater volcano erupted.

Saturday, 15th January 2022

Tsunami warning issued for Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand after eruption of underwater volcano

Warnings have been sent out in several countries, including Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand, after a huge underwater volcano erupted. Videos from Tonga show waves crashing into a church and several homes on the island. Witnesses say that ash is falling over Nuku'alofa, the country's capital. People living there have been told to move to a higher place, but they don't know-how. Like a volcano, it's the last one to erupt, and this one is the most recent. "Loud thunder sounds" could be heard in Fiji, which is more than 800 km (500 miles) away.

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At least 20 kilometres (12 miles) high, gas, smoke, and ash from the volcano were seen in the sky. Located 65 km north of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, the capital of Tonga is just outside of the city. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology says a 1.2m tsunami wave there. New Zealand, which is more than 2,300 km away, has been warned about storm surges caused by the eruption. "Strong and unusual winds and surprising surges at the shore" could happen in parts of the country. Forecaster Weather Watch tweeted, "The energy release is simply mind-blowing," adding "Reports of people hearing the sonic booms across New Zealand." The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of New Zealand has also released a national advisory for tsunami in some parts of New Zealand after the Tonga volcano eruption. NEMA says it is expecting coastal areas of New Zealand on the northern and eastern coasts of the North Island and the Chatham Islands to undergo "strong and unusual winds and unexpected surges".