Tsunami Warnings Issued for US West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii

On the 15th, an underwater volcano erupted near the island nation of Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean, captured by a satellite.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire west coast of the United States following a volcanic eruption under the sea near the South Pacific island nation of Tonga.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tsunami warning on the 15th (local time) for California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, according to reports from the AP News and CNN.

The weather agency forecasted that the tsunami warning applies from southern California to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, with wave heights reaching up to 60 cm. It also warned of strong rip currents and coastal flooding, advising people to "stay away from beaches, ports, and harbors."

Beaches and piers throughout southern California were closed. Residents at the Santa Cruz Harbor in California secured their boats in the harbor and prepared for the tsunami, with no immediate damage reported, according to AP News.

British Columbia in Canada also issued a tsunami warning and banned access to beaches.

Earlier, in Hawaii, where a tsunami warning had been issued, waves between 50 and 80 cm were observed in some areas such as Kauai, but no damage has been reported so far.

A tsunami warning was also issued for American Samoa, a U.S. territory in the eastern South Pacific, prompting coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground; the warning has since been lifted.

Earlier, Tonga authorities issued a nationwide tsunami warning after a volcano located 65 km north of the capital Nuku'alofa erupted.