An undersea volcanic eruption in the Pacific nation of Tonga has sparked a tsunami and tsunami warnings were issued on Saturday for the entirety of the US West Coast, along with Hawaii and Alaska.

In view of the situation and the potential hazards, officials from the National Tsunami Warning Centre in Palmer, Alaska have asked residents along the West Coast to move away from the coastline to higher ground. Residents have also been urged to pay attention to specific instructions from their local emergency management officials.

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Commenting on the situation, Dave Snider of the National Tsunami Warning Centre said, “We don’t issue an advisory for this length of coastline as we’ve done — I’m not sure when the last time was — but it really isn’t an everyday experience. I hope that elevates the importance and severity for our citizens.”

Meanwhile, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Hawaii has already experienced the fallout from the eruption. Waves half a metre tall were reported crashing on the shores of Nawiliwili, Kauai, while Hanalei saw waves as tall as 2.7 feet hit its shores, causing minor flooding.

However, no major damage to property or loss of lives has been reported thus far, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a statement on the situation in Hawaii, saying, “We are relieved that there is no reported damage and only minor flooding throughout the islands.”

That being said, the danger has not yet dissipated. “The important thing here is the first wave may not be the largest. We could see this play out for several hours. It looks like everything will stay below the warning level but it’s difficult to predict because this is a volcanic eruption and we’re set up to measure earthquake or seismic-driven sea waves,” said Snider, urging residents to be alert to the evolving situation.

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Warnings have also been issued in the nearby island nations of Fiji and Samoa, while Japan and New Zealand are also on alert.

Tonga, thus far, has not reported any major damage or loss of lives, but communications have been disrupted and the situation is still evolving.