On Saturday, an underwater volcano had erupted on the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai Island of Tonga. Those moments of the eruption, which caused tsunami risk in many countries, were recorded by the Himawari-8 satellite operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). While the intensity of the explosion was reflected in the images taken from space, the aftermath of the disaster began to be clear. Due to the eruption, tsunami risk has arisen in many countries including Canada, Australia, USA, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, New Zealand, Fiji and Japan. Also, it’s been reported that the communication line cuts in Tonga with a population of approximately 105 thousand, are still continuing. Meanwhile, waves rose in the tsunami warning issued countries, it was seen in the images shared on social media that the people around the affected areas were fleeing in panic.
On the other hand, experts described the explosion as an event that will be seen once in a thousand years, while the explosion was also heard from New Zealand, which is 2.300 kilometers away from Tonga. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern said many boats washed up on the shore in Tonga’s capital city of Nukuʻalofa. Ardern stated that the city is covered with volcanic material and communication with the small island country is limited. Ardern added that they are ready to assist Tonga in repairing the cables that provide communication and passes under the sea. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced his country is ready to send aid to Tonga.