Finance

Tsunami Advisory Issued For West Coast, Hawaii And Alaska After Volcano Erupts Off Tonga

01/15/2022
Bitcoin Ethereum News

Topline

A tsunami advisory is in effect for the West Coast of North America—from California through British Columbia to Alaska—and Hawaii, the National Weather Service said Saturday, resulting from the eruption of an undersea volcano near the Pacific island nation of Tonga, sending 2.7-foot waves crashing ashore.

Key Facts

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves had hit Hawaii ranging in height from a foot in Nawiliwili, Kauai, to 2.7 feet in Hanalei the Associated Press reported.

The center tweeted there was “only minor flooding throughout the islands” and no reported damage.

The wave was expected to arrive along the coast of Oregon between 10:55 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. ET, and the coast of Washington between 11:35 a.m. to 12:55 p.m., according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

The tsunami advisories came after a “massive” volcanic eruption triggered a tsunami that hit Tonga on Saturday, National Weather Service said.

The tsunami reportedly caused waves to flood into Tonga’s capital and sent residents rushing to higher ground, CNN reported.

It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in Tonga or the extent of the damage as communication was cut off following the violent volcanic eruption, the Associated Press reported.

Surprising Fact

Hawaii was hit by a large tsunami in 1946 that killed 159 people, according to the United States Geological Survey. It reached a rare maximum height of 33 to 55 feet above sea level on shore.

Key Background

Tsunamis are ocean waves caused by large earthquakes that occur near or under the ocean, volcanic eruptions and submarine landslides, among other causes.

Further Reading

Volcano erupts in Pacific, West Coast under tsunami advisory (Associated Press)

Tsunami advisory in effect for US as waves hit Tonga following volcanic eruption (CNN)

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisakim/2022/01/15/tsunami-advisory-issued-for-west-coast-hawaii-and-alaska-after-volcano-erupts-off-tonga/