The explosion could be heard thousands of kilometers away, and clouds of ash rose high into the air in the South Seas: the eruption of an underwater volcano triggered tsunami waves that flooded several Tonga islands. Experts warned of the consequences of the volcanic ash that has spread over the main island.
US authorities released satellite images of the eruption and said the eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano appears to be the “strongest and most violent eruption of the 21st century”. The Tonga Geological Survey said gas, smoke and ash were thrown 20 kilometers into the air.
While only small tsunami waves were registered after the first eruption on Friday, the second eruption on Saturday could also be heard in New Zealand, 2000 kilometers away, according to media reports. Tsunami warnings were issued in Fiji, Vanuatu, New Zealand, Australia, Ecuador and Chile in addition to Tonga, the US and Japan.
Japan’s Pacific coast was hit by almost 1.20 meter high waves. In New Zealand, 120 people from northern coastal regions were brought to safety. A giant wave wrecked several boats in a marina. Floods in Santa Cruz, California, were also attributed to the volcanic eruption. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted its warning on Sunday.
The sky is darkening
The extent of the damage caused by the tsunami waves in Tonga was initially difficult to assess. The few videos that circulated on social media showed flooding and people fleeing the waves to higher ground.
You can also see the sky darkening with ash. “The ground shook, the whole house shook,” Tonga native Mere Taufa told Stuff. Her younger brother thought “that bombs were going to explode near us”.
There were initially no reports of injuries or fatalities. One person was reported missing in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa. Video taken by the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa shows the flooded downtown area, including the Royal Palace and Tonga’s largest bank.
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Roads torn open and parts of a destroyed sea wall can be seen in photos from other islands. According to the New Zealand embassy in Tonga, the tsunami mainly damaged the coast in northern Nuku’alofa. Boats and large boulders washed ashore.
“We are ready to support our friends and families in Tonga”
Aid organization Save the Children was concerned about air and water security due to the ash and smoke. “The government has asked the public to wear masks and use bottled water for now,” the statement said. In the hours after the eruption, the telephone and internet connections as well as electricity on the islands went out.
This also made it more difficult to provide relief measures for the approximately 105,000 residents of Tonga from abroad.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced an air force reconnaissance flight. However, this could only take place on Monday because of the ash cloud. At the same time, another plane is ready to transport water, food and medical supplies. The Navy would also already be preparing for a mission.
“We are ready to support our friends and families in Tonga,” said the New Zealand Prime Minister. Australia, the USA and the United Nations also pledged support for the island state.
The volcano, whose full name is Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, is 1800 meters high and 20 kilometers wide and is located about 65 kilometers north of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa. In 2015, the undersea volcano spewed ash and lava for weeks.
Air traffic had to be temporarily diverted, and the eruption formed a new island of rock and ash two kilometers long. Tonga is on the Pacific Ring of Fire, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are not uncommon.
New Zealand geologist Marco Brenna has now said the overall impact of the volcanic eruption was “relatively minor”. Another eruption with major consequences cannot be ruled out. (with AFP, dpa)
