Tonga tsunami of 2022 was a massive natural disaster that occurred on January 15. A tsunami is a series of huge ocean waves created by an earthquake or other natural force. Tonga is a country made up of about 150 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. An underwater eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa, produced a tsunami that destroyed many homes and crops in Tonga and killed three people. Falling ash from the eruption also damaged crops and contaminated freshwater resources across the islands. 
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano had been active since an eruption on Dec. 20, 2021. The Tonga Geological Services declared the volcano dormant on Jan. 11, 2022. Three days later, at 4:20 a.m. local time on Jan. 14, 2022, the volcano erupted. The Tonga Meteorological Services issued a tsunami warning and cautioned residents against entering coastal waters at 11:12 a.m. The volcano reached only 374 feet (114 meters) above sea level. However, it stands 5,900 feet (1,800 meters) above the ocean floor and measures 12 miles (20 kilometers) wide at its base.
On January 15, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted again at 5:10 p.m. Ten minutes later, tall waves hit the island of Tongatapu. The eruption created an umbrella cloud of ash. The eruption plume reached an altitude of 36 miles (58 kilometers), releasing a record-breaking amount of water vapor into the stratosphere. Experts predicted that the additional water vapor in the stratosphere from the Tonga eruption would temporarily contribute to the rising temperatures on Earth.
The explosion was felt in the island nation of Fiji 500 miles (800 kilometers) away. The eruption created tremendous waves that spread throughout the ocean and became towering walls of water as they reached coastal areas. The waves rushed ashore, destroying hundreds of buildings and sweeping away boats and vehicles. The waves hitting the islands of Fonoifua, Mango, and Nomuka reached up to 50 feet (15 meters) tall. Ash caused the most damage to the other islands. Ash and saltwater contaminated drinking water throughout Tonga. The eruption damaged an undersea cable, cutting communications from the island to the outside world and causing a delay in rescue efforts.
Ash on the runways of the Fua’amotu International Airport delayed the arrival of relief supplies. Tongan officials had required supply drops from other countries to be contactless, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tonga had detected only 1 case of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. After aid supplies from Australia, Britain, China, New Zealand, and Japan arrived in Tonga, more than 10 cases of COVID-19 were detected. Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni quickly announced a lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus that causes the disease. Despite lockdown efforts, Tonga eventually detected thousands of cases of COVID-19 and at least 12 deaths from the virus.
