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A powerful underwater volcano eruption in the South Pacific was captured by an Earth-watching satellite.
The eruption of the volcano on the island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai can be seen from the GOES West Earth satellite. A video of the eruption shows a huge cloud from the volcano rising high into the atmosphere, as a shockwave from the volcano goes through the air, as one of the 170 islands that make up the South Pacific kingdom of Tonga.
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The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga was captured by the GOES West satellite. The image is from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
There is a volcano eruption near Tonga that has prompted a Tsunami Advisory for the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii. It happened at 0605 on January 15th, and could be heard across the South Pacific and as far away as Alaska.
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The capital of Nuku'aloFA was hit by a 4-foot wave from the volcano. The sonic boom from the eruption was heard as far away as Alaska, according to the Associated Press.
The AP reported that a thick film of volcanic dust covered Nuku'aloFA. There have been no official reports of injuries or damage from the capital, but the internet access was disrupted by the event.
The volcano on the island exploded with a huge eruption on January 13 and was spotted by the GOES West satellite. The December event was less powerful but still sent a huge cloud of ash and gas into the air.
New Zealand's Prime Minister told the AP that Saturday's eruption sent an ash cloud to an altitude of nearly 12 miles. New Zealand officials hope to send military flights over the volcano on Monday to assess its status, followed by aid and supplies for Tonga, where water supplies may be contaminated.
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