The submarine volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai has erupted. Satellite images show that much of the South Seas archipelago is covered in ash and rock. In addition, the volcanic peak seems to have disappeared.
Tonga – In early 2022 there was a massive eruption of the submarine volcano Hunga-Tonga-Huga-Ha’Apai in the Pacific. Satellite images impressively show the extent of the disaster. The South Seas archipelago of Tonga is covered by a thick layer of ash shortly after the eruption. In addition, the top of the volcano, which jutted out of the water like an island, can hardly be seen. Now the rest of the volcano is under water, as futurism.com reports.
Footage has also been released in the past showing that the underwater island of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai was formed after a volcanic eruption (*FR reported). The island was thought to be relatively persistent, but now it looks like it may gradually disappear.
Vulcan causes wave of destruction
According to media reports, neighboring small islands were affected by the eruption. Among other things, an entire village was destroyed. All the buildings have also disappeared. The volcanic eruption apparently caused a wave of destruction in the surrounding villages.
.@UNOSAT produced a preliminary assessment of the impact from #HungaTongaHungaHaapai volcano: https://t.co/hZ4vheqRwg
See a few extracts from the report, providing before and after comparisons using #Pleiades, #Sentinel2 and WorldView imagery. #TongaVolcano pic.twitter.com/XgzgPFycC3— Disasters Charter (@DisastersChart) January 17, 2022
The infrastructure on Tonga was also affected, so that the supply of important goods was extremely difficult. Australia and New Zealand sent ships laden with relief supplies. Above all, the local residents lacked drinking water, as it had been polluted by the ash. *FR is an offer from IPPEN.Media.
