Underwater Volcano Erupts near Tonga

By Guido Trombetta on 3:00 PM ,
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters

A submarine volcanic eruption occurred today in the Tonga Islands of the South Pacific.
The Tonga Islands occur along the Ring of Fire, a ring of heightened seismic activity in the Pacific Basin. In particular this volcano is located in an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered.
The powerful eruption have caused an amazing spectacle for the witnesses, shooting clouds of smoke, steam and ash thousands of meters into the sky above the South Pacific ocean spectacular columns spewed out of the sea about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the southwest coast off the main island of Tongatapu.

Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
AP
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
AP
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
AP
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Reuters

The column of smoke and ash as seen from the main island of Tongatapu, 10 kilometers south:
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
AP
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
Getty

A map of the area:
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga

and satellitar NASA images, the eruption is clearly visible, and even the pumice raft:
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
NASA

even at a lower enlargement:
Underwater Volcan Eruption near Tonga
NASA