WELLINGTON Jan. 15 (UNA): An undersea volcano erupted in a spectacular fashion near the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday, sending big waves crashing across the shore and sending people to higher ground, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or the extent of damage as communications with the small country remained an issue. A video clip posted on social media showed large waves washing beaches in coastal areas and swirling around homes and buildings.
The New Zealand military said it was monitoring the situation and remained on alert and ready to assist if requested.
Satellite images showed a massive eruption, plumes of ash, steam and gas captured from space rising like mushrooms over the blue Pacific waters.
Tonga meteorological services said a tsunami warning was in effect for all of the archipelago, and data from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center showed waves of 80 cm (2.6 feet) were detected.
Authorities in the two neighboring island nations of Fiji and Samoa also issued warnings, telling people to avoid the shoreline due to strong currents and dangerous waves. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there may be a slight swell of water along the Japanese coast, but it is not expected to cause any damage.
The islands business news website reported that a convoy of police and military forces evacuated Tonga King Tubu VI from his palace near the beach. He was among the many residents who headed to higher regions.
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano was the latest in a series of spectacular eruptions.
A Twitter user known as Dr. Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau posted a video showing waves crashing onto the beach.
“The eruption can be heard literally, it sounds very violent,” he wrote, adding in a later post: “It rains ash and small pebbles, darkness covers the sky.”
Earlier, Matangi Tonga news website reported that scientists noticed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after its eruption began early Friday. Satellite imagery showed a 5-kilometre (3-mile) wide plume rising into the air about 20 kilometers (12 miles).
More than 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) away in New Zealand, officials have warned of storm surge from the eruption.
The National Emergency Management Agency said some parts of New Zealand could expect “strong, unusual currents and unexpected eruptions on shore after a major volcanic eruption”.
Late Saturday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the threat to American Samoa appears to have passed, although slight fluctuations at sea may continue.
The volcano is located 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of the capital, Nuku’alofa. In late 2014 and early 2015, a series of volcanic eruptions in the area created a new small island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.
Tonga is home to about 105,000 people.
AOQ