First images of Tonga volcano damage show entire communities covered in thick ash

[Omaha Steve]

Source: CNN

By Rhea Mogul, Eric Cheung, Akanksha Sharma and Teele Rebane

(CNN)A thick layer of ash covering entire island communities can be seen in the first images of disaster-hit Tonga to emerge following what experts believe to be the world's biggest volcanic eruption in more than 30 years.

Aerial photos released by the New Zealand Defense Force from Tonga's central Ha'apai islands show trees, homes and fields coated in gray ash -- spewed out by the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai undersea volcano as it erupted on Saturday, sending tsunami waves crashing across the Pacific.

Satellite images show a similar scene in the capital's Kolofo'ou district, on Tonga's main island, with trees and homes completely blanketed by volcanic debris. Some buildings appear to have collapsed and aid workers are now concerned about water contamination and food security in the district.

Snip: Alexander Matheou, director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said that in addition to the ash, there is "large-scale coastal damage as a result of the tsunami wave."



BEFORE AND AFTER: Satellite images of the main port in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, show the impact of the huge volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/18/asia/tonga-volcano-tsunami-damage-intl-hnk/index.html

[flying_wahini]

1. I can't imagine trying to clean/dust my house for years!

You would Never get rid of it.

[Mysterian]

3. I can.

I have a long-hair dog.

[yaesu]

2. recent satellite imagery appears to show that 90% of the Hunga Tonga island is gone.

All that remains are two satellite islands to the east and west. Also, the explosion was heard as far east as Kailua Kona, HI

[AllaN01Bear]

5. i have heard of reports that the noise from the explosion was heard in inda and alaska as well.

i cant do anything for them except pray. that is all i can do.

[mn9driver]

4. Volcanic ash is heavy.

Most of the affected structures were never designed to carry that load and they are either heavily damaged or collapsed. I hope they can get aid into the islands quickly. Their airports are probably unusable right now.

[OnlinePoker]

9. I heard last night they're worried aid workers will bring Covid with it.

So far, in the pandemic, Tonga has had only one case.

[Yandex]

6. Are those two pics of the same place? n/t

[Omaha Steve]

7. Two sides of one place

Side by side.

[Yandex]

10. I guess I'm missing the damage beyond the ash n/t

[calimary]

8. Yikes.

Mother Nature always has the last, and loudest word.

Kinda humbling when you think about it.

[VGNonly]

11. Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa

sits at about 20'. That island is the one that is blanketed in ash. Hunga Tonga is an uninhabited volcanic island that did sit 489' high. Its new height is now undetermined, after the blast. The result of the convergence boundary of the Indian-Australian and the subductive Pacific Plates.