Videos: Tsunami Hits Tonga After Powerful Undersea Volcanic Eruption

A tsunami alarm was declared for all of Tonga after a series of powerful eruptions from the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano, which is located 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) southeast of Tonga's Fonuafo'ou Island.

Powerful waves hit the island nation of Tonga on Saturday, coming ashore, reaching the capital of Nuku'alofa and washing through people's homes. Multiple videos, purportedly depicting the massive eruption and subsequent tsunami ravaging the island, have since erupted online.

Satellite images also show a giant ash cloud and shockwaves spreading from the eruption. In addition to the tsunami warning, the country's meteorological services have published advisories for heavy rain, flash flooding, and storms.

WOW. Absolutely insane video from a Fiji Broadcasting Corporation employee of the ongoing Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano eruption, which has caused a tsunami. https://t.co/58UCa6QmbO pic.twitter.com/EO0FnRLqVo

— Scott Stedman (@ScottMStedman) January 15, 2022

Tonga's Hunga Tonga volcano just had one of the most violent volcano eruptions ever captured on satellite. pic.twitter.com/M2D2j52gNn

— US StormWatch (@US_Stormwatch) January 15, 2022

🇹🇴 Huge volcanic eruption near Tonga. Reports of tsunami there and it's gone pitch black. Lots of lightning too. #tonga pic.twitter.com/FqgQWskgGm

— The RAGE X (@theragex) January 15, 2022

Breaking: A tsunami warning is in effect for the island of Tonga after a volcanic eruption. A video shows a possible tsunami wave hitting the island. pic.twitter.com/rCarK7ShD8

— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) January 15, 2022

Tsunami videos out of Tonga 🇹🇴 this afternoon following the Volcano Eruption. pic.twitter.com/JTIcEdbpGe

— Jese Tuisinu (@JTuisinu) January 15, 2022

In the meantime, other countries in the region have issued a tsunami warning, including Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.

New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency issued a national advisory of tsunami activity, saying that people in or near the sea should move out of the area, off beaches and shore areas at least until Sunday.

We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY following the Tongan eruption. We expect New Zealand coastal areas on the north and east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Islands to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) January 15, 2022

The agency has said there is no need for evacuations in other areas unless directly advised by authorities.

Previously, the climate website Hauraki Gulf Weather stated that the surge wave had reached a height of 80 centimetres (31 inches) in Tonga, as parts of the country's capital suffered from flooding. The series of powerful eruptions raised concerns in the region, as Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai spewed ash and steam up to 17 km into the air.