Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

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Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption

18 January 2022

NZDF

By The Visual Journalism Team

BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

The massive volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga has caused

catastrophic damage, with homes destroyed and many communities
covered in a thick layer of ash.

The Tongan government says the country has been hit by an "unprecedented
disaster".

Communications with Tonga have been severely disrupted.

Satellite images and aerial photographs show the scale of the destruction.

The single undersea cable connecting Tonga to the outside world was severed in
the eruption.

The port in the capital, Nuku'alofa on the main island of Tongatapu, has been
severely damaged, with many buildings near the waterfront completely flattened.

It is thought they were destroyed by the tsunami wave when it hit the island,
shortly after the eruption on nearby Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

Despite the damage on the waterfront at Nukuʻalofa, inland areas are reported to
be largely undamaged.

The UN reported extensive damage to property on the western beaches of

Tongatapu.

Waves of up to 15 metres hit the area on Saturday.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

Reports from the area say 56 houses were completely or seriously damaged, and
that the residents have been moved to evacuation centres.

There is also growing concern for residents of smaller, low-lying islands to the
north of Tongatapu.

How volcano's impact spread so widely

Scientists explain eruption's ferocity

Health warnings over volcanic ash

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

The authorities in Tonga say all the homes on one island, where around 50
people live, have been destroyed, while on another only two houses remain.
Other islands, they say, have sustained extensive damage.

The main airport for the islands, Fua'amotu International Airport, was not
damaged, but piles of ash are hindering operations and international aid efforts.
Volunteers have been sweeping the runway of the main airport to allow planes to
land.

Australia has said the ash must be cleared before it can land a C-130 military
plane carrying supplies.

MAXAR

Fua'amotu International Airport

New Zealand is sending two ships, HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Aotearoa, to

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

the area with water supplies, survey teams and a helicopter.

Little appears to be left of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, where the volcanic

eruption happened on Saturday. Satellite images show only a small amount of
land remains above water.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

Related Topics

Volcanoes Tsunamis Tonga Pacific Ocean

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Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60039542[25/02/2023 10:46:05]
Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

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Tonga tsunami: Before and after eruption - BBC News

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