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These are spectacular images taken by a satellite.
An underwater volcano has erupted in the Pacific.
This created a huge cloud of ash, steam and gas.
It was about five kilometers wide and reached about 20 kilometers into the air.
The eruption happened near Tonga, a small island nation in the Pacific.
The distance between the capital and the volcano is only 65 kilometers.
Even in New Zealand, more than 2,300 kilometers from Tonga, there were storm surge warnings.
Also, the eruption was reportedly heard as far as here.
But especially in the immediate vicinity of Tonga, the eruption quickly triggered an alarm.
Spokesperson, US National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center:
“We currently have a tsunami warning.
Please move to higher ground immediately. There has been a volcanic eruption near Tonga. And we now have a tsunami warning for American Samoa.
Please go to higher areas if you are in the danger zone.«
Original sound
Scores of properties were inundated on Tonga's main island of Tongatapu when the first waves hit the shore.
According to the Australian Meteorological Agency, a 1.2 meter high wave was observed in the city.
The US tsunami warning center spoke of smaller tidal waves with a height of 60 to 80 centimeters.
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The extent of the damage was initially unclear.
The authorities of other Pacific countries also issued tsunami warnings, including Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.
People have been urged to stay away from coastal areas.
The warning for American Samoa was then quickly lifted.
This was announced by the US National Weather Service via Twitter.
But the authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely.