There has been a huge volcanic eruption, and a Tsunami that has even reached the shoreline of California.
The first report I saw said 'not quite as bad as Krakatoa', which wasn't exactly reassuring. Fortunately the tsunami seems to have been a relatively low one.
Dang - that would have made a good header - "Tonga eruption, not quite as bad as Krakatoa"
Still fairly huge in scale:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-60007119
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano was heard across the South Pacific, and eventually as far away as the US.
Many parts of Tonga, whose capital is just 65km south of the eruption, are experiencing a near-total blackout of power, phone lines and internet services. The extent of any injuries or damage is still unclear.
Tsunami waves getting bigger, as well. The early ones were about 1m20, but the Japan warning is expecting 3m.
If anyone wants to donate, this seems to be a favoured route in Tongan circles.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/tonga-tsunami-relief-by-pita-taufatofua
Although the Tongan government is in the porcess of a6etting up an official route for direct donations.
This is a nice clear explanation of the geology involved https://www.sciencealert.com/a-scientist-explains-why-the-volcanic-eruption-in-tonga-was-so-violent?
What it would look like from space if the Honga #Tonga-hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted somewhere in France.
https://twitter.com/WxNB_/status/14827083646353489
92
California had people watching as the ocean was receding while knowing what happened.
Missed opportunity for the Tongan Headline:
Volcanic eruption: World cut off from Tonga.
unless they've already done it.
The amount of energy released was something like nine hundred times the Hiroshima nuke and the island has practically vanished. Odd that this isn't a bigger news item, really.
It was an uninhabited island, and the islands that were affected have had their communications cut off, so we don't know what's happened there yet.
I think it's safe to say the deaths toll of just three so far will climb.