WELLINGTON — A massive volcanic eruption in Tonga that triggered tsunami waves around the Pacific caused “significant damage” to the island nation’s capital and smothered it in dust, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Sunday. “We’re working hard to see how we can assist our Pacific neighbors after the volcanic eruption near Tonga.”The United States was “deeply concerned for the people of Tonga,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, pledging support for the island nation. By 0300 GMT Sunday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said the threat from the eruption had passed. The volcano’s eruption lasted at least eight minutes and sent plumes of gas, ash and smoke several kilometers into the air. This referred to the 19th century eruptions of Indonesia’s Krakatau and Alaska’s Novarupta, the most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 16, 2022 12:22 UTC