2009 Eruption
On March 16, 2009, a submarine eruption near Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai began spewing steam, smoke, pumice, and ash thousands of feet into the sky above the ocean. By March 21, Tonga's chief geologist, Kelepi Mafi reported, lava and ash from two vents, one on the uninhabited island Hunga Haʻapai and another about 100 metres (330 feet) offshore, had filled the gap between the two vents, creating new land surface that measured hundreds of square metres. The eruption devastated Hunga Haʻapai, covering it in black ash and stripping it of vegetation and fauna.
The volcanic eruption drew worldwide attention. The volcano was featured in a segment of the television program Angry Planet in 2009.
Read more about this topic: Hunga Tonga
Famous quotes containing the word eruption:
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