Highlights
- Volcano erupted under sea on Tonga Island
- How horrific the explosion was visible in the satellite pictures
- Tsunami alert issued, US and Japan warning
- A plume of ash visible from 20 km away in the videos
An underwater volcano erupted on the Polynesian country of Tonga Island on Saturday. The explosion was so powerful that its ash plume covered 20 km. Visible even from afar. Small pieces of ashes and stones rained down on Tonga. A tsunami alert has been issued after the volcanic eruption. The US and Japan have advised people on the Pacific Coastlines to get as far from the coast as possible. Japan has warned that waves three meters high could rise. The US has issued a warning of strong currents and waves and coastal flooding.
Videos posted on social media showed huge waves crossing the shores in coastal areas. How much damage has been caused by these waves and no casualty has been reported as of now, as the connectivity and communication services with this small country are not that good.
King of Tonga expelled from the palace
Tonga Meteorological Services said a tsunami warning has been issued for the whole of Tonga. Authorities have also issued warnings in nearby Fiji and Samoa. Along with this, people have been instructed to avoid going near the beach in view of the dangerous waves. A convoy of police and military forces escorted King Tupo VI of Tonga from his palace near the beach to safer uplands.
Terrifying scene in satellite images
The Matangi Tonga news website reported that scientists saw large-scale eruptions, thunder and lightning after the volcano became active early Friday. According to the website, five kilometers of ash, steam and gas were found in the images obtained from the satellite. The broad layer seems to be rising in the air for about 20 kilometers. At the same time, officials in New Zealand, located more than 2,300 kilometers away, have warned of a storm due to the explosion. New Zealand’s military said it was monitoring the situation and was ready to help if needed.
Tonga is a group of 169 islands
Tonga is a Polynesian country located in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is a group of 169 islands. Out of which the population lives on 36. The population of this country is more than one lakh and this country is known as the Kingdom of Tonga. Tonga has a constitutional monarchy. It is not allowed to speak anything against the emperor here.
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