On January 15, 2022, an underwater volcano near Tonga erupted with violent force. The eruption lasted approximately eight minutes, releasing a cloud of ash that billowed more than 20 kilometers high. The force of the eruption quickly caused a Pacific-wide tsunami, swamping coastlines and causing casualties and damage in Japan and Chile, with waves reaching as far as North America. Communication to Tonga was cut off for weeks. Three people were killed in the disaster.

In Tonga, relief and recovery efforts are continuing after the January 15 eruption of an undersea volcano and subsequent tsunami. Coastal resorts collapsed, outlying islands were severely damaged, communication with the outside world was cut off, and a thick layer of ash settled over the affected area. More than 2,000 people are still homeless. The eruption was so powerful that satellites captured images of clouds of ash from space and the sound was heard more than 1,400 miles away in New Zealand. Tsunami waves are reported to have reached the coasts of California and Peru.