In San Diego, tsunami warning due to volcano explosion

On Saturday, the authorities warned California residents including San Diego of the tsunami that could reach there as a result of the eruption of an underwater volcano, near the Tonga archipelago in the South Pacific, about 8600 km away from the U.S. West Coast.

An underwater volcano erupted on Saturday near Tonga's country lying on an archipelago of the same name. Warning about tsunamis and dangerous conditions on the west coast was directed, among others, to residents of San Diego.

According to TV FOX waves caused by the eruption of the volcano began to reach the California coast on Saturday morning. Their size was estimated at only 30.5 cm to approx. 1 meter. The National Meteorological Service (NWS) in Los Angeles, however, pointed out that they could create dangerous currents for hours."

San Diego authorities called on residents to stay away from the water, to distance themselves from the beach as well as to leave ports and marinas.

"A tsunami is expected to produce strong currents that are dangerous to floats, boats and coastal structures. Don't go to the coast to watch the tsunami. Be allergic to instructions from local crisis management officials," NWS tweeted in San Diego.

According to the NWS, ports and other low-lying areas in the state experienced a small or moderate submergence throughout the coast. One user Twitter shared a film showing flooded docks and a parking lot in Santa Cruz Harbor.

Dr. Lucy Jones, considered one of the leading seismologists of southern California, explained on Saturday why the lack of dangerous waves does not mean no threat to the California coast.

"Tsunami is not one wave. It can last all day. Just because the first wave It's time to go to the beach. Many damage caused by the tsunami occurs in ports due to currents. Waves hit with enormous force," she tweeted as quoted by Fox Jones.

In the United States, tsunami warnings were also issued to the people of Hawaii and Alaska.

Written by Andrzej Dobrowolski/PAP