Waves more than a meter high, water flows wash away everything in its path. A real hell on the paradise islands near the capital of the kingdom of Tonga came because a volcano erupted in the Pacific Ocean. Columns of gas, smoke and ash, escaping from the vent, reached a height of 20 kilometers. Thunder-like sounds were heard even in Fiji.
The Australian weather bureau was the first to report giant waves in the coastal areas of the capital of Tonga. Local residents began to leave their homes – they escaped from the water, climbing up the hill.
The elements destroyed the coastline and damaged buildings. King of Tonga evacuated from his palace along with the inhabitants of the capital quarter, the streets of which are partially flooded. The Internet has stopped working in the country. According to local residents, the Earth shook under their feet for several minutes. Many thought that bombs were exploding somewhere nearby. Soon the water destroyed the walls of the houses.
Someone for the sake of spectacular shots against the backdrop of the elements risked his life. Here is a man taking a picture of himself, not paying attention to the fact that a wave is rolling in from the sea. She ends up tearing him down and everything else. Authorities are urging residents to urgently leave coastal areas. Official services warn: waves can reach a height of three meters.
The head of the Kingdom’s Geological Survey has urged people to close rainwater tanks in case of acid rain.
The meteorological agency said that due to the activity of the volcano, sea levels in Japan may change. Experts call the eruption a “surprise”.
“The most interesting thing is how quickly and violently it spread. This eruption turned out to be much larger, rapidly developing, with much more ash ejected. I expect a layer of ash several centimeters thick will settle on Tonga,” said geologist Professor David Tappin.
The tsunami also hit the Japanese islands a few minutes after the warning. In Japan, powerful floods of water flooded more than 10 ships. Another one completely swept into the open ocean.
Local experts have already called the eruption the most powerful in the last 30 years. Tsunami warnings following the volcanic eruption were issued by the authorities of many countries in the region, from Australia to the United States. Minor flooding – in Hawaii. In New Zealand, which is more than 2,000 kilometers away from the volcano, authorities have warned residents of high storm tides. A tsunami threat has been declared Kuril Islands.
According to the Russian emergency services, there is no threat to the population of Russia. The height of the wave in the area of the Kuril Islands, according to experts, will not exceed 20 centimeters.
.
ttn-20