Earlier this morning the National Weather Service issued a tsunami alert for parts of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California following the eruption of a major underwater volcano near the Pacific nation of Tonga. Although the Associated Press reported there were no immediate injuries, tsunami waves that hit the island nation's shores — and if you want, you can watch the volcano erupt in real time.

Wonder of Science posted a collection of images taken by satellites GOES-West and Himawari-8, and compiled them into a short video. In the clip, the smooth ocean surface is suddenly disrupted by a giant plume of gray ash, smoke and water rippling outward. It almost looks like a giant underwater bomb went off — and after all, in a geological sense, it kinda did.

The video reminded some viewers of just how powerful the Earth and its geologic features truly are.

"We live on a fragile wet ball of lava in space you guys." one Twitter user commented.

Although the clip is scary and waves have been reported, the NWS says most people should be relatively safe if they seek higher ground.

"Areas in the advisory should not expect widespread inundation," the NWS said in their report. "Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest."

For perspective, here's what the eruption looks like from down below.

It's good to hear this one may not be as serious as the deadly 2004 tsunami, but according to the Smithsonian, the eruption has been happening intermittently since late December of 2021. Some activity periods lasted as long as 30 minutes, spewing ash, pumice, gas and steam into the water and surrounding air.

In a bizarre weather-combo twist, a cyclone that passed through the area also obscured views of the volcano in early January 2022. Because the volcano is so active, it's actually building new islands. An eruption that began in December of 2014 built a new island between two other large islands.

It's cool to watch such massive tectonic movement happen in real time, but let's not forget that tsunamis can be dangerous, and the NWS does advise leaving shorelines and moving inland to higher ground. Nature is beautiful but deadly — not something to joke around with.

More on volcanic exploration: Man With Wing Suit Flies Inside Mouth of Active Volcano


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