Check out the NOAA satellite footage of the underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga yesterday. The volcano on Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted last month on Dec. 20, 2021 and again on Jan. 13, 2022. Tonga’s capital of Nuku’alofa, which is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the volcano, was hit by a 4-foot tsunami wave. Nuku’alofa was reportedly covered in a thick film of volcanic dust. A sonic boom from the eruption was heard across the Pacific Ocean, reaching as far as Alaska, California, New Zealand and Japan. There have been no reports of injuries or damage from Tonga’s capital other than interruption to their internet and communication.
https://www.space.com/tonga-underwater-volcano-stunning-eruption-from-space-video
Update: Still no communication from Tonga since an underwater volcano erupted. Three deaths have been reported as a result of the resulting tsunami – a British woman in Tonga swept out to sea and two people drowned off a beach in northern Peru. New Zealand and Australia both sent surveillance flights to find out more. A critical undersea cable was severed. It may take more than two weeks to restore phone and internet lines. Satellite phones, used by many aid agencies, also have poor service due to the effects of the ash cloud. Drinking water was also likely contaminated. Officials have expressed concern that relief efforts might have the unintended effect of spreading covid in the country, which recorded its first case last October. https://youtu.be/MVMu3UmkBTE