Tonga Volcano

Tonga volcano: Eruption more powerful than atomic bomb, Nasa says

The eruption "obliterated" a volcanic island north of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa, the agency said.

Tonga says more than four-fifths of the population has been affected by the tsunami and falling ash.

Three people were confirmed killed in the tsunami last week.

Before the eruption, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic island was two separate islands joined by new land formed in 2015.

Nasa says the eruption was so powerful all the new land is gone, along with "large chunks" of the two older islands.

Pacific volcano: New Zealand sends flight to assess Tonga damage

The eruption has covered the Pacific islands in ash, cut power and severed communications.

Up to 80,000 people there could be affected, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) told the BBC.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the tsunami had wreaked "significant damage".

No deaths have been reported so far.

Information remains scarce, however, and New Zealand and Australia are sending surveillance flights to assess the extent of the damage.

Get away from shore - US and Japan warn after Tonga tsunami

The US warned of strong currents and waves, and coastal flooding.

The huge underwater volcanic eruption caused waves of more than a metre to crash into Tonga.

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano was heard across the South Pacific, and eventually as far away as the US.

A tsunami warning has been issued for parts of Australia's east coast and Tasmania, and the north and east coast areas of New Zealand's North Island.

Tongan tsunami felt around the Pacific

The series of volcanic eruptions were also heard in Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Cook Islands.

Multiple communities in Fiji experienced surges soon after the tsunami and warnings were generated following the eruption again of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai seamount volcano.

Video footage from Samoa and the Cook Islands showed similar activity.

Tonga remains the hardest hit with destruction of homes, vehicles and infrastructure.

Parts of New Zealand were under tsunami advisory after the violent eruption of the underwater volcano.

Tsunami advisory for Samoa following volcanic eruption in Tonga

The public has been advised to stay away from the coastal areas.

There was a major eruption at Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha-apai this afternoon.

Locals reported the eruption lasted about eight minutes and rattling windows and sending ash into the air.

There were sirens warning people to evacuate to higher ground.

Tidal waves crossed the Nuku'alofa shoreline and coastal roads and flooded properties.

RNZ Pacific reports it's dark now in Nuku'alofa and ash is falling and people can see lightning in the ash clouds.

Eruption not affecting Fiji air

The Department of Environment has analysed sulphur dioxide concentration levels over Fiji, and has confirmed that they are below the World Health Organisation's air quality guidelines.

The Department will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with the Fiji National Disaster Management Office and Fiji Meteorological Service.