Written by: Delaney Norris, Staff Writer
DISASTER: Countries all over the world were recently affected by a tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption.
On January 14th and 15th, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted twice, causing a 5.8 earthquake and a tsunami, affecting countless countries including Samoa, the United States, Peru, and Japan. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai is a submarine volcano (an underwater fissure in the Earth’s surface that magma can erupt from) located in the Southern Pacific Ocean. It is 65 kilometers north of one of Tonga’s main islands, Tongatapu. The eruption, which destroyed part of Tongatapu, was also accompanied by another explosion the next day, caused by seawater filling up the vent that the magma erupted from in the first explosion. The eruption spewed gas and ash 12 miles above sea level and 150 miles across. The pressure wave from the eruption traveled at 697 miles per hour, and finally dissipated after circling the Earth three times. Over 50 homes in Tongatapu were destroyed, and over 100 were damaged. Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa was flooded, and boats docked in Tutukaka over 80 miles away were damaged.
The U.S was also mildly affected by the tsunami, with Hawaii being the first of the 50 states to experience the effects. The islands reported an increase in the size of the waves and minor flooding, and were thankful that no major destruction was caused. The west coast also experienced abnormal weather and waves, with Port San Luis, California experiencing water levels four feet higher than usual. In the Berkeley marina more than 100 people were evacuated and beaches in San Francisco and San Diego were cleared for public safety. So far only three fatalities have been reported, a British national, a female from Mango island, and a male from Nomaku island. But efforts are being made to help those affected. The government has sent out vessels containing food, water, and health teams, almost all citizens of Mango island and Fonoifua island have been evacuated to Nomaku island, and the government has activated its cluster system. Presently, over $350,000 of funding has been distributed to Tonga, who is facing long-term challenges such as food insecurity and rebuilding of homes and boats. A tsunami is no joke.