Tonga volcano violently spews ash a day prior to tsunami causing eruption

Massive plumes of ash and gas rose from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano before the colossal eruption that triggered a tsunami on the island of Tonga on Saturday, January 15. On Friday, January 14, the Tonga Geological Services said a 5km-wide plume of ash, gas, and steam rose 18-20km above sea level during a continuous eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano.