An underwater volcanic eruption in the Pacific triggered panic in the Tonga Islands this Saturday (15.01.2022), with a tsunami that caused 1.20 meter waves in Japan and generated alerts on the west coast of the States States and Chile.
The aftermath of the eruption reached Japan, where authorities reported a 1.2 meter wave on the remote island of Amami and a smaller tsunami elsewhere along the coast. They also warned of possible waves of up to three meters.
The U.S. National Weather Service also issued tsunami warnings for the West Coast, from California to Alaska, predicting waves up to 60 centimeters, strong currents and coastal flooding.
“A tsunami is underway. Remember that the first wave may not be the largest. Stay away from the shore and head for higher ground,” wrote the National Tsunami Warning United States Center.
Canada followed suit, issuing a tsunami warning for the province of British Columbia.
Additionally, according to the US Weather Service, Hawaii was hit by “minor flooding”.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano is located on an uninhabited island about 65 kilometers north of Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga.
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21st century tsunamis
Indonesian, 2018
On December 22, 2018, the small Indonesian volcano Anak Krakatau erupted, causing a tsunami in the Sunda Strait, between the islands of Sumatra and Java. More than 280 people died, according to initial estimates by authorities, and more than 1,000 were injured. Anak Krakatau is a small volcanic island that emerged after a devastating eruption of Krakatau Volcano in 1883.
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21st century tsunamis
New Zealand, 2016
The Kaikoura earthquake in 2016 was the second most devastating in the ocean country’s postcolonial history. The ruptures occurred at various points along the fault lines, causing some 20,000 aftershocks and a tsunami with 7-meter waves. Two people were killed and dozens were injured.
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21st century tsunamis
Japan, 2011
The 2011 tsunami in Japan was triggered by an underwater earthquake. The waves reached 40.5 meters high. The tragedy left 16,000 dead and thousands injured, in addition to destroying infrastructure and entire cities. It also caused the collapse of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
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21st century tsunamis
Chile, 2010
Chile is a country prone to earthquakes, and indeed the Valdivia earthquake of 1960 remains the most powerful ever recorded (magnitude 9.5). In February 2010, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake triggered tsunami warnings as far away as Japan and Russia. A series of waves hit the Chilean coast, adding destruction and death. At least 525 people lost their lives.
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21st century tsunamis
Solomon Islands, 2007
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21st century tsunamis
Indian Ocean, 2004
A photograph of a beach in Thailand shows only part of the devastation caused by a huge earthquake followed by a tsunami, with waves of up to 30 meters, which hit 14 countries on December 26, 2004. An estimated 230,000 people lost their lives in the tragedy The earthquake, measuring 9.3, is the third most powerful on record.
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