Tonga Volcanic Eruption Triggers Tsunami Advisories For Japan, US

Nukuʻalofa, the capital of Tonga, is less than 50 miles south of the eruption, and many parts of the South Pacific island are reportedly experiencing a near-total power outage.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami advisory for the West Coast states, Alaska, and Hawaii, meaning a “potential for strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water.” Waves 1 to 3 feet high were expected along the Oregon and Washington coasts.

Maui and Kaua’i saw waves of 2.7 feet high, just under the criterion for a tsunami warning (3 feet). Hawaii’s tsunami advisory was canceled just before 8 a.m. local time. National Weather Service reports advised people to stay away from beaches, harbors, and marinas, but said that widespread inundation was not expected.

Japan’s system issued warnings for Iwate prefecture to the north of its main Honshu island and for the Amami and Tokara islands to the south. Most of its east coast was placed under a tsunami advisory.

Video in Santa Cruz, California, showed minor flooding along the coast. Cal Fire shared video of large waves hitting El Granada, California, on Saturday morning.