Tsunami wave heights generated by the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption across the Pacific

Pacific Ocean.

Large waves of 1.154 meters (figure 1 below) were recorded at the tide gauge station in Nuku’alofa within 5 minutes of the major eruption however the system then lost connection so further waves were not recorded in real time. The height of the waves in Tonga is yet to be fully understood but this data provides an insight into the initial tsunami waves felt in Nuku’alofa.

The Tonga Meteorological Service issued a tsunami marine warning on Saturday morning, citing the fluctuation of the sea level observed and recorded at the time by the tide gauge at Nuku’alofa, providing notice for people to take protective action.