A tsunami has flooded Tonga's capital after a large eruption from an undersea volcano. Other Pacific islands and the US have issued advisories and have cautioned residents to seek higher ground.
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The Pacific island of Tonga experienced a large volcanic eruption Saturday followed by a tsunami that flooded parts of the capital, Nuku'alofa
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credit:theguardian.com
The volcano had some intermittent activity through December last year
The surge wave reached a height of 2.7 feet (83 centimeters) in Nuku'alofa, according to the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
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Tonga's King Tupou VI had been evacuated from the Royal Palace as many Tongans tried to get to higher ground
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A previous eruption on Friday sent plumes of ash and smoke into the air, with smoke clouds extending up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) into the atmosphere.