Warnings of ‘unusual and unpredictable surges’ have been issued across Pacific region
US officials have issued a tsunami alert for the west coast after a gigantic underwater volcano erupted near Tonga, sending large currents surging across the Pacific Ocean.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center sent out an advisory for the entire west coast including the states of California, Oregon and Washington, as well as Alaska.
The alert warned locals to get out of the water and stay away from waterfronts, beaches, harbours, marinas and other coastal areas. Boat operators were told to get their boats at least 180 feet up onto dry land.
“Do not go to the shore to observe the tsunami,” it cautioned.
The US National Weather Service for San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, warned residents to expect waves of up to three feet throughout the day and potential coastal floods in low-lying areas.
County officials in Berkeley warned: “People in Berkeley Marina, GET OUT OF YOUR BOAT AND OFF THE DOCKS NOW. EVACUATION ORDER is due to a tusnami that is scheduled to arrive in Berkeley at 8.10am.”
A tsunami advisory means that strong currents and dangerous waves are imminent and people should stay out of the water. It is one step short of a tsunami warning, which advises people to move urgently to high ground or inland.
People in the Pacific Island nation of Tonga have been forced to flee their homes while streets and buildings have flooded, as tsunami waves crashed onto the main island of Tongatapu.
New Zealand’s emergency management agency issued an advisory on tsunami activity for its north and east coasts stating that some parts of the nation could expect “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a large volcanic eruption”.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s military said it was monitoring the situation and remained on standby. Australia’s federal government is also “monitoring the situation” and is “ready to provide support to Tonga if requested”.
But so far there have been no immediate reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga or elsewhere.
The eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, about 65km north of capital Nuku’alofa, caused a tsunami measuring 1.2 metres, Australia’s meteorology bureau said.
