On Saturday, January 15, 2022, an underwater volcano erupted near the island nation of Tonga. This volcanic eruption caused tsunami warnings to be issued across the South Pacific and the West Coast of the United States. 

The volcano, Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai, is located about 40 miles north of Tonga’s most populated island. The 8-minute volcanic eruption sent plumes of gas and ash into the atmosphere and caused a tsunami.   

According to US Storm Watch, Tonga’s Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai Volcano “had one of the most violent volcano eruptions ever captured on satellite.” 

Several videos were posted on social media showing persons searching for higher land to escape the tsunami

Communication to Tonga was limited by Sunday afternoon, and official damage assessments had not been available because of communication issues.  

Tonga is still reeling from the effects of natural disasters it has experienced in the last few years. These include Cyclone Gita (a category five tropical storm) that impacted the islands in 2018 and Cyclone Harold, which caused more than 100 million dollars in damage.