What you need to know about the Tonga volcano, in the Pacific Ring of Fire

3 yıl önce

The powerful eruption of an undersea volcano near the Tonga islands in the Pacific Ocean sent tsunami waves around the world on Saturday, closing beaches, flooding marinas and activating emergency plans from Japan to California.

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Experts say the Tongan volcano is capable of producing an explosion that massive roughly every 1,000 years, akin to a weapons-grade chemical explosion.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haâapai volcano, which has erupted several times in recent years, is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, home to some of the worldâs most active volcanoes.

These events may have just been a warm-up. Volcanologists and officials say there could be further activity to come, with several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest.

On Jan. 15, a powerful eruption of an underwater volcano near the Tonga islands in the Pacific Ocean triggered tsunami waves around the world. (The Washington Post)