Tonga’s Nuku’alofa: Tongans evacuated to higher ground Saturday after the area’s second tsunami in as many days was produced by a major volcanic explosion heard in neighboring nations.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology tweeted, “A 1.2 metre tsunami wave has been observed at Nukualofa,” Following the explosion on Friday, the greatest tidal wave measured 30 cm.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted again barely hours after the tsunami warning was canceled on Friday.
When the volcano erupted, Mere Taufa claimed she was at her house getting ready for supper.
“It was huge; the earth shook, and our home shook as well. It came in fits and starts. My little brother was certain that bombs were going off nearby “Taufa told the news website Stuff.
Minutes later, she said, water flooded their home, and she watched a neighboring house’s wall fall.
“We just knew it was a tsunami right away.” “It’s just water pouring into our house.” Screams could be heard all around you, people pleading for safety and for everyone to go to higher ground.”
Tonga’s King Tupou VI is said to have been evacuated from the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa and transferred to a property far from the shore by a police escort.
The first explosion lasted at least eight minutes and blasted gas, ash, and smoke plumes several kilometers into the sky. Residents along the shore were advised to seek higher ground.
Officials in Suva reported the eruption was so powerful that it was heard as “loud thunder sounds” more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) away in Fiji.
Residents were advised to cover water collecting tanks in the event of acidic ash fall, according to authorities.
“keep away from areas of warning which are low-lying coastal areas, reefs and beaches” stated Victorina Kioa of the Tonga Public Service Commission on Friday.
Taaniela Kula, the chief of Tonga Geological Services, asked residents to stay indoors, wear a mask outside, and cover rainwater reservoirs and rainwater collecting equipment.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a “tsunami advisory” for American Samoa, stating that “sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents that could be a hazard along beaches” were a concern.
Authorities in New Zealand and Fiji issued similar warnings.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano is located 65 kilometres (40 miles) north of the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa on an uninhabited island.