JAKARTA - The tsunami that hit Tonga, on Saturday, January 15, is believed to be the result of volcanic activity under the sea. An island nation in the Pacific Ocean region, experienced a terrible disaster that they had never felt before.
The giant sea waves triggered by this volcano also flooded Nuku'alofa, the Palace grounds, the waterfront and the main road. Before erupting, the underwater volcano also spewed ash, steam, and gas that shot up to 17 kilometers into the air. Volcanic ash has reportedly reached Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga.
However, this is actually very rare. Even a geologist saw the strangeness of the natural phenomenon of the underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga.
Professor David Tappin, a geologist, said he was shocked by the eruption of Tonga's underwater volcano. In the 40 years he has studied tsunamis in the Pacific region, Tappin has never seen an underwater volcanic eruption in that location.
According to Tappin, in fact tsunamis often occur in the Pacific Ocean region. For example in Japan, which often experiences it. However, tsunamis that occur are rarely triggered by volcanic eruptions.
"In fact, Tonga and the Pacific region, we know there is a tsunami in the Pacific Ocean region, there have been no events from volcanic eruptions and explosive eruptions before. So, this is a big surprise," said Tappin, quoted by AFP, Saturday, January 15.
Based on historical records, Tonga's underwater volcano called Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai has been active since 1912, but so far the eruption has been quite calm. This mountain is also said to be last active in 2014.
In December 2021, the underwater volcanic activity had increased, and finally the first eruption occurred on Friday, January 14.
"But, what we're experiencing here, has been bubbling since late last year, and around 5 o'clock last night, Saturday, there was an extraordinary big eruption captured on satellite imagery," said Tappin.
He revealed that previously a similar incident had occurred in Indonesia in 1882. At that time the tsunami was triggered by the eruption of Mount Krakatau which killed up to 36,000 people.
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