Tsunami waves hit the island state on Tonga on Saturday 15 January 2022 following a series of violent eruptions from an underwater volcano, Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai, which is said to be the biggest volcanic eruption since Pinatubo in 1991. This triggered a tsunami, blanketing the pacific island in volcanic ash.
Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai lies 65 km north of the country’s main island of Tongatapu, where a 1.2 m wave swept ashore in the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa, where locals fled to higher ground as houses were flooded.
The massive Tongan volcanic eruption was felt around the world, where the thunderous roar could be heard 10 000 km away in Alaska, and two people have reportedly drowned off a beach in northern Peru, South America.
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
The Australian and New Zew Zealand Airforce were deployed to the region to assess the damage, ‘We are working hard to see how we can assist our Pacific neighbours after the volcanic eruption near Tonga,’ the New Zealand Airforce statement read.
Australia’s minister for the Pacific, Zed Seseljam said that initial reports revealed no mass casualties, but significant damage was reported with houses thrown about. Tonga has since called for ‘immediate aid,‘ with an urgent need for fresh water and food as it assesses the damage.
Stay safe everyone 🇹🇴 pic.twitter.com/OhrrxJmXAW
— Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau (@sakakimoana) January 15, 2022
Tonga is concerned about the risk of aid deliveries spreading Covid-19 on the island, which is Covid free. ‘We don’t want to bring in another wave – a tsunami of Covid-19,’ Tonga’s deputy head of mission in Australia, Curtis Tu’ihalangingie, said.
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