After the volcano erupts and the tsunami, Tonga is like the “surface of the moon” All

NUKU’ALOFA, KOMPAS.com – After the eruption of the Hunga volcano Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai followed tsunami, the country of Tonga is like the “surface of the moon”.

Tsunami occurred after the underwater volcano erupted on Friday (14/1/2022) night local time. The second eruption occurred Saturday (15/1/2022) at 17:26 local time.

Locals say the island nation now looks like the surface of the moon due to volcanic ash and post-tsunami damage.

Also read: Half of the World Affected, Why is Tonga’s Volcanic Eruption So Powerful?

In addition, sneezing water in Tonga is also polluted as reported The Independent, Sunday (16/1/2022).

New Zealand sent a plane to Tonga to assess the damage after satellite imagery captured a volcanic eruption that sent plumes of smoke and volcanic ash into the air.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said water supply was very important and urgently needed by the Tongan people at this time.

Experts say the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano triggered an earthquake of magnitude 7.4.

Also read: Profile of Tonga, a Small Country in the Tsunami -Swept Pacific

In addition, the volcanic eruption also triggered a tsunami with waves as high as 1.2 meters that hit houses on the Tonga coast.

Many Tongans fled low-lying areas for fear that the waves would get bigger.

Electricity, internet and telephone lines in Tonga were cut on Saturday, making communication there still impossible.

However, Ardern said several islands in Tonga had recovered from the blackout and communication networks were functioning.

Also read: Post-Tsunami Tonga, Strong Tidal Wave in Far North New Zealand

So far, there has been no official report on the number of victims as Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, has yet to be contacted.

“Nuku’alofa was covered in thick plumes of volcanic ash but otherwise calm and stable conditions,” Ardern said.

“There are parts of Tonga that we don’t know about. We just haven’t established communication yet,” Ardern continued.

Experts say the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano rarely erupts. But once erupted, the mountain will be “turbulent” for several weeks or even years.

University of Auckland volcanologist Professor Shane Cronin said the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano this time was one of the largest in the last 1,000 years.

Also read: Video of the Volcano Eruption that Caused the Tsunami, the King of Tonga was evacuated

“We could be within weeks or even years of a major volcanic upheaval from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanoes,” Cronin said.

He added that Tongans would really need help, especially clean water.

“The people of Tonga should also remain vigilant for further eruptions and especially tsunamis and should avoid low-lying areas,” Cronin continued.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption has also sparked warnings in a number of countries including the US and Japan.

Strong waves also occurred in a number including Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Also read: The Impact of the Tonga Tsunami, Polluted Water, Dead Internet, and Damaged Ships

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