Submarine volcanic eruption The capital of Tonga was flooded

People evacuate the coast after a tsunami warning was issued in Viña del Mar, Chile, on January 15.

Xinhua News Agency

A volcanic eruption occurred on the 14th and 15th in the South Pacific island nation of Tonga, and a tsunami was observed in the capital Nuku'alofa. Japan, the United States, Canada and other countries have issued tsunami warnings. Experts pointed out that the crater of the incident has awakened, the eruption period can last for weeks or even years, and it is unclear whether the peak of the eruption has been reached.

■ The main street of the capital of Tonga was flooded

About 65 kilometers north of The island of Hon Aha Apay, about 65 kilometers north of Tonga's capital, began to erupt on the morning of the 14th and erupted again on the afternoon of the 15th. Volcanic eruptions cause large amounts of ash, gas and water vapor to enter the sky to form huge clouds, which erupt to a height of 20 kilometers. The volcano began on December 20, 2021, erupting for several days. In 2015, the Hon Aha Apay Island volcano also erupted.

The Tonga Meteorological Authority said the entire territory of Tonga was threatened by tsunamis, torrential rains, floods and strong winds. The eruption of the volcano on the 15th caused the sea to be inverted. The main streets of the capital, Nuku'alofa, were flooded and many buildings were flooded. In the evening, the capital, Nuku'alofa, was cut off from electricity and reduced contact with the outside world. All domestic flights in Tonga were cancelled on the 15th.

■ Multinational tsunami warnings were issued

The eruption of the volcano on the 15th was very powerful, and the seawater activity in some parts of Fiji, Samoa and other countries was abnormal, and these countries urgently issued tsunami warnings.

New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency issued a warning on the 15th that its northern and eastern coastal areas and the west coast of the South Island may be hit by huge waves. The Australian Meteorological Service issued a tsunami warning immediately after the eruption of the Tonga volcano, covering many states and multiple islands along Australia's eastern coast. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for some areas such as the Amami Islands on the 16th. Some areas of the west coast of the United States issued a tsunami warning on the 15th, including the Hawaii area and the coastal areas of Washington state and Oregon. The National Emergency Office under the Ministry of the Interior of Chile issued a tsunami warning to most of the Pacific coast and Pacific islands on the 15th, evacuating people on the coast and on the beach.

Shane Cronin, a professor at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, said on the 16th that the scale of the volcanic eruption on the 15th far exceeded the two earlier eruptions on December 20, 2021 and January 13, 2022, and a large amount of fresh magma containing gas erupted from the crater, and the shock wave traveled thousands of kilometers. These indications indicate that the crater of the site of the incident has awakened, the period of eruption activity can last for weeks or even years, and it is unclear whether the peak of the eruption has been reached at this time.

■ The United Nations stands ready to provide support

United Nations Secretary-General Guterres issued a statement through a spokesman on the 15th, expressing deep concern about the strong eruption of a submarine volcano in the South Pacific island country of Tonga and the tsunami. He expressed the readiness of the United Nations to provide support at any time.

The United Nations said that due to severe disruptions to Tonga's communications network, no reports of casualties or damage had been received.

■ Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: We are willing to provide support and assistance within our capabilities

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in response to a reporter's question on the volcanic eruption in Tonga on the 16th that China is very concerned about the volcanic eruption in Tonga and causing disasters such as tsunamis and volcanic ash, and is willing to provide support and assistance within its capabilities at the request of the Tang side.

A reporter asked: On January 15, volcanoes in Tonga continued to erupt and triggered tsunamis, which had a catastrophic impact on Tang. What is China's comment on this? Were there any casualties Chinese?

Wang Wenbin said that the Chinese side is very concerned about the volcanic eruption in Tonga and the triggering of disasters such as tsunamis and volcanic ash. The Chinese Embassy in Tonga immediately launched an emergency plan, learned about the disaster situation of Chinese citizens from many sources, and has not received any reports of casualties among Chinese citizens.

"China and Tonga are comprehensive strategic partners. The Chinese side expresses its deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the Government and people of Tonga and is willing to provide support and assistance within its capacity at the request of the Tongan side. Wang Wenbin said.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 16

Source: Yangtze River Daily