According to scientists, the Tonga volcano eruption which took place in January this year was the strongest in the last 140 years.

The biggest volcano eruption to take place earlier was in 1883 when the Krakatau eruption occurred, scientists said. The researchers found the waves originating from the eruption were similar to that of the Krakatau eruption.

The study revealed&nbsp;the explosion in the atmosphere has not been documented in the "modern geophysical record".

The Hunga explosion produced globally-detected infrasound upto 10,000 km away and also caused "ionospheric perturbations" as seismometers worldwide recorded pure seismic and air-to-ground coupled waves.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musk-donates-satellite-gear-to-reconnect-tonga-454490">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/musk-donates-satellite-gear-to-reconnect-tonga-454490" hreflang="en">Musk donates satellite gear to reconnect Tonga</a>

The January 15 explosion had led to an "umbrella cloud" approximately 30 km above sea level as it produced a "broad range of atmospheric waves".

The research found the audible sound was reported across Alaska as far as 10,000 km from Hunga. The research appeared in the Science journal.

Watch:&nbsp;Tonga eruption sent ripples through the ionosphere

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The eruption had destroyed undersea the 80-kilometre long undersea cable as the Pacific island nation remained disconnected for weeks as the eruption, shockwaves and the tsunami caused major havoc.&nbsp;

The carnage hampered relief efforts in the island nation of nearly 100,000 people as backup satellite links also failed due to patchy broadband connection.

The 55 kilometres long undersea cable was lost in the seabed. The explosion occurred even as the main island Tongatapu and outlying Vava'u was under lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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According to scientists, the Tonga volcano eruption which took place in January this year was the strongest in the last 140 years. The biggest volcano eruption to take place earlier was in 1883 when the Krakatau eruption occurred, scientists said.

According to scientists, the Tonga volcano eruption which took place in January this year was the strongest in the last 140 years. The biggest volcano eruption to take place earlier was in 1883 when the Krakatau eruption occurred, scientists said. The researchers found the waves originating from the eruption were similar to that of the Krakatau eruption. The study revealed the explosion in the atmosphere has not been documented in the "modern geophysical record". The Hunga explosion produced globally-detected infrasound upto 10,000 km away and also caused "ionospheric perturbations" as seismometers worldwide recorded pure seismic and air-to-ground coupled waves. Also Read: Musk donates satellite gear to reconnect Tonga The January 15 explosion had led to an "umbrella cloud" approximately 30 km above sea level as it produced a "broad range of atmospheric waves". The research found the audible sound was reported across Alaska as far as 10,000 km from Hunga. The research appeared in the Science journal. Watch: Tonga eruption sent ripples through the ionosphere The eruption had destroyed undersea the 80-kilometre long undersea cable as the Pacific island nation remained disconnected for weeks as the eruption, shockwaves and the tsunami caused major havoc. The carnage hampered relief efforts in the island nation of nearly 100,000 people as backup satellite links also failed due to patchy broadband connection. The 55 kilometres long undersea cable was lost in the seabed. The explosion occurred even as the main island Tongatapu and outlying Vava'u was under lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Tonga volcanic eruption caused biggest explosion since 1883

Tonga closed its borders on Wednesday after two virus cases were detected amid relief efforts after it was hit by a major volcano and a tsunami last month.

The Pacific island country was free of the virus for nearly two years except for one case which was detected last year, however, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced two men had tested positive and were working in the port where humanitarian aid has been arriving.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/latest-satellite-pictures-tsunami-and-volcano-in-tonga-445867">Also Read in Pics: Satellite pictures: Tsunami and volcano in Tonga</a>

The prime minister announced a "national lockdown" while informing that "no boat will be allowed to go from one island to another, no more (domestic) aeroplane flights."

The prime minister said the situation would be reviewed every two days. Tonga has been receiving aid from China, France, United States, New Zealand, Fiji and Britain with ships arriving at its port with crucial medical supplies including drinking water.

Watch:&nbsp;World rushes to tsunami hit Tonga's aid

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Although the country has put strict Covid protocol in place and allowed humanitarian goods in isolation even as the country has vaccinated 85 per cent of its population.

Australia's HMAS Adelaide had docked in Tonga as reports said at least 20 crew members were infected with the virus. The lockdown comes even as the UN said over 1,500 people were still displaced and needed urgent attention.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/water-is-an-immediate-need-tonga-assesses-damage-after-volcanic-eruption-covid-19-threat-looms-445444">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;'Water is an immediate need': Tonga assesses damage after volcanic eruption</a>

The volcano had ripped undersea cables as officials said cable repair ships were due to arrive this week even&nbsp;as the country reels under the devastating effects of the volcano.

Tonga's media reported that at least three more virus cases were reported with five COVID-19 cases recorded so far as Tongans scrambled to stock up essential supplies ahead of the lockdown.

The authorities said the two people who were infected were fully vaccinated and it was not clear whether they were infected with the Omicron variant.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Tonga closed its borders on Wednesday after two virus cases were detected amid relief efforts after it was hit by a major volcano and a tsunami last month. The Pacific island country was free of the virus for nearly two years except for one case which was detected last year, however, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced two men had tested positive and were working in the port where humanitarian aid has been arriving.

Tonga closed its borders on Wednesday after two virus cases were detected amid relief efforts after it was hit by a major volcano and a tsunami last month. The Pacific island country was free of the virus for nearly two years except for one case which was detected last year, however, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced two men had tested positive and were working in the port where humanitarian aid has been arriving. Also Read in Pics: Satellite pictures: Tsunami and volcano in Tonga The prime minister announced a "national lockdown" while informing that "no boat will be allowed to go from one island to another, no more (domestic) aeroplane flights." The prime minister said the situation would be reviewed every two days. Tonga has been receiving aid from China, France, United States, New Zealand, Fiji and Britain with ships arriving at its port with crucial medical supplies including drinking water. Watch: World rushes to tsunami hit Tonga's aid Although the country has put strict Covid protocol in place and allowed humanitarian goods in isolation even as the country has vaccinated 85 per cent of its population. Australia's HMAS Adelaide had docked in Tonga as reports said at least 20 crew members were infected with the virus. The lockdown comes even as the UN said over 1,500 people were still displaced and needed urgent attention. Also Read in Pics: 'Water is an immediate need': Tonga assesses damage after volcanic eruption The volcano had ripped undersea cables as officials said cable repair ships were due to arrive this week even as the country reels under the devastating effects of the volcano. Tonga's media reported that at least three more virus cases were reported with five COVID-19 cases recorded so far as Tongans scrambled to stock up essential supplies ahead of the lockdown. The authorities said the two people who were infected were fully vaccinated and it was not clear whether they were infected with the Omicron variant. (With inputs from Agencies)

Volcano-hit Tonga enters lockdown after recording two virus cases

The Peruvian government declared an environmental emergency Saturday to deal with a spill caused by freak waves from a volcanic eruption in the south pacific.

Last Saturday, a powerful eruption of an undersea volcano near Tonga unleashed tsunami waves as far away as the United States.

As a result of the oil spill near Lima, beaches have been polluted, birds have been killed, and tourism has been adversely affected.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/peru-demands-compensation-for-oil-spill-damage-aerial-images-show-extent-of-devastation-446126">Peru demands compensation for oil spill damage, aerial images show extent of devastation</a>

Peru's Lima Zoo is trying to save dozens of seabirds, including protected penguins, left covered in oil after 6,000 barrels of crude oil spilt off its coast as a consequence of waves caused by a volcanic eruption.

The Parque de Las Leyendas zoo has rescued more than 40 birds from polluted beaches and nature reserves, including Humboldt penguins, which are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Biologist Liseth Bermudez says birds' fate is unclear.

"We are doing everything we can. It is not a common occurrence and we are doing our best."

Veterinarians are caring for the birds by bathing them with special detergents in order to remove the suffocating oil.

The government has issued a 90-day decree. As part of the decree, the government has committed to "sustainable management" of the 21 beaches tarred by 6,000 barrels of oil that spilt from a tanker ship last Saturday while unloading at a refinery.

Its objectives include improving the organization of agencies and teams working after a disaster, according to the environment ministry.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-tiny-islands-have-borne-the-brunt-of-tongas-tsunami-446803">Three tiny islands have borne the brunt of Tonga’s tsunami</a>

The environment ministry said it issued the emergency decree because crude still in the water was reaching a distance of 40 kilometres (25 miles) from where the spill originally occurred.&nbsp;

It added that "the spill amounts to a sudden event of significant impact on the coastal marine ecosystem, which has major biological diversity."

Roberto Sanchez, the foreign trade and tourism minister, estimated that economic losses totalled more than $50 million across all sectors.

As per the environment ministry, the spill affected 174 hectares -- about 270 football fields worth -- of beach and 713 hectares of the sea were affected, as sea currents spread the spilt oil along the coast.&nbsp;

The cleanup crew has been working on the spill for days.

If the oil spreads, more animals will die, says Peruvian biologist Guillermo Ramos of the Serfor forestry service.

"There are species here that feed on crustaceans and fish that are already contaminated," he said.

Watch |&nbsp;Tonga volcano: Peru beach turns black after hit by oil spill

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Spanish energy giant Repsol, which owns the refinery, is being sued for damages by the government.

The company Repsol has said the spill occurred due to the freak waves caused by the eruption and that it is not responsible for the spill since there were no warnings given by the government that rough waters would result from the undersea blast.

Repsol announced Saturday that 1,350 people were involved in the cleanup effort, which included big-rig trucks, skimmers, floating containment barriers, and other tools.

In a statement, Repsol said it is "deploying all efforts to attend to the remediation of the spill."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Peruvian government declared an environmental emergency Saturday to deal with a spill caused by freak waves from a volcanic eruption in the south pacific. Last Saturday, a powerful eruption of an undersea volcano near Tonga unleashed tsunami waves as far away as the United States.

The Peruvian government declared an environmental emergency Saturday to deal with a spill caused by freak waves from a volcanic eruption in the south pacific. Last Saturday, a powerful eruption of an undersea volcano near Tonga unleashed tsunami waves as far away as the United States. As a result of the oil spill near Lima, beaches have been polluted, birds have been killed, and tourism has been adversely affected. Also read | Peru demands compensation for oil spill damage, aerial images show extent of devastation Peru's Lima Zoo is trying to save dozens of seabirds, including protected penguins, left covered in oil after 6,000 barrels of crude oil spilt off its coast as a consequence of waves caused by a volcanic eruption. The Parque de Las Leyendas zoo has rescued more than 40 birds from polluted beaches and nature reserves, including Humboldt penguins, which are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Biologist Liseth Bermudez says birds' fate is unclear. "We are doing everything we can. It is not a common occurrence and we are doing our best." Veterinarians are caring for the birds by bathing them with special detergents in order to remove the suffocating oil. The government has issued a 90-day decree. As part of the decree, the government has committed to "sustainable management" of the 21 beaches tarred by 6,000 barrels of oil that spilt from a tanker ship last Saturday while unloading at a refinery. Its objectives include improving the organization of agencies and teams working after a disaster, according to the environment ministry. Also read | Three tiny islands have borne the brunt of Tonga’s tsunami The environment ministry said it issued the emergency decree because crude still in the water was reaching a distance of 40 kilometres (25 miles) from where the spill originally occurred. It added that "the spill amounts to a sudden event of significant impact on the coastal marine ecosystem, which has major biological diversity." Roberto Sanchez, the foreign trade and tourism minister, estimated that economic losses totalled more than $50 million across all sectors. As per the environment ministry, the spill affected 174 hectares -- about 270 football fields worth -- of beach and 713 hectares of the sea were affected, as sea currents spread the spilt oil along the coast. The cleanup crew has been working on the spill for days. If the oil spreads, more animals will die, says Peruvian biologist Guillermo Ramos of the Serfor forestry service. "There are species here that feed on crustaceans and fish that are already contaminated," he said. Watch | Tonga volcano: Peru beach turns black after hit by oil spill Spanish energy giant Repsol, which owns the refinery, is being sued for damages by the government. The company Repsol has said the spill occurred due to the freak waves caused by the eruption and that it is not responsible for the spill since there were no warnings given by the government that rough waters would result from the undersea blast. Repsol announced Saturday that 1,350 people were involved in the cleanup effort, which included big-rig trucks, skimmers, floating containment barriers, and other tools. In a statement, Repsol said it is "deploying all efforts to attend to the remediation of the spill." (With inputs from agencies)

Peru calls environment emergency as oil spill threatens vulnerable Humboldt penguins, thousands of birds