The National Weather Service issued a Saturday tsunami advisory for the West Coast of the United States.
An undersea volcano in Tonga that erupted Saturday local time has generated large waves that officials believe could affect parts of the U.S. The advisory extends to coastal areas in the Alaskan Peninsula, the Aleutian Islands, California, Oregon, southeast Alaska, south Alaska, Washington, and Hawaii.
“We don’t issue an advisory for this length of coastline as we’ve done — I’m not sure when the last time was — but it really isn’t an everyday experience,” said Dave Snider of the National Tsunami Warning Center, according to multiple outlets. “I hope that elevates the importance and severity for our citizens.”
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ROCKED BY 6.2 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE
Residents who live where the advisory was issued are encouraged to stay out of the water and away from the shore, including harbors and marinas, the NWS said.
Officials reported waves up to 2.7 feet in Hanalei, Hawaii, the Associated Press reported. So far, there have been no reports of injuries in the islands of Hawaii as a result of the conditions, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a tweet.
The massive undersea volcano near Tonga hit the nation’s coastlines hard. There were no immediate reports of injuries on the island, but communication had been disrupted due to damage from the waves, the outlet said.
Footage of the waves circulated on social media.
Tsunami videos out of Tonga ?? this afternoon following the Volcano Eruption. pic.twitter.com/JTIcEdbpGe
— Jese Tuisinu (@JTuisinu) January 15, 2022
The undersea eruption was visible from space and documented by satellite images. It sent a massive discharge of ash about 12.4 miles into the air, Radio New Zealand reported. The island has a population of about 105,000 people.
The violent eruption a few hours ago of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano captured by satellites GOES-West and Himawari-8. pic.twitter.com/PzV5v9apF6
— Wonder of Science (@wonderofscience) January 15, 2022
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
U.S. officials also advised that the first wave produced by the tsunami might not necessarily be the largest one. The Washington Emergency Management Division advised residents Saturday to stay away from shores for the duration of the advisory.
