Tonga hit by tsunami after volcanic eruption

The Pacific country of Tonga experienced a large volcanic eruption Saturday followed by a tsunami that flooded parts of the capital, Nuku'alofa, which is lies just 65 km north of the volcano.According to the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the surge wave reached a height of 2.7 feet in Nuku'alofa. Meanwhile, there is no information on property damage or casualties so far. A tsunami warning sent residents scrambling to higher ground. The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano sent shockwaves across the South Pacific. People all over the South Pacific, including as far away as New Zealand, heard the eruption.Videos posted on social media from Tonga showed the tsunami breach the shoreline, and move into the town.Tonga's King Tupou VI had been evacuated from the Royal Palace as many Tongans tried to get to higher ground. 

Stay safe everyone pic.twitter.com/OhrrxJmXAW

— Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau (@sakakimoana) January 15, 2022

The Tonga Geological Services said that the plumes of gas, smoke and ash pouring from the volcano reached 20km into the sky. A tsunami advisory was in effect for Hawaii, Alaska, the US Pacific coast, and neighboring British Columbia in Canada. Fiji also issued a tsunami warning, telling residents to avoid shorelines "due to strong currents and dangerous waves." New Zealand, more than 2,000 kilometers away from the site of the eruption, has also issued a tsunami advisory.