Tsunami reaches Japan; Tonga volcanic eruption felt around the world

No damage to California coast by tsunami

California, Oregon, and Washington state, as well as parts of Hawaii, south Alaska and the Aleutian islands were all expected to also be affected by the huge eruption, following the undersea volcano. As of Saturday noon local time, there was no report of damage to the California coast.

Tsunami waves of 2.7 feet (about 83 cm) were observed by gauges at the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa and waves of 2 feet at Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, a US territory, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The agency later canceled warnings for American Samoa and Hawaii, but said the tsunami remained a threat for parts of the Pacific nearer the volcano, warning residents living near beaches, harbors, marinas and other coastal areas should move away from the shore and make their way inland or uphill.

AFP/Reuters/Xinhua