Tsunami Evacuation Alert after Massive Underwater Volcano Eruption In Tonga (Video)

It comes as waves of 2.7ft swept through the streets of the Pacific nation as locals scrambled to higher ground after the "violent" eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano. The eruption was so intense it was heard as "loud thunder sounds" in Fiji more than 500 miles away, officials said.

Now other countrys have issued alerts to protect their citizens.

Japan's meteorological agency issued tsunami warnings in the early hours on Sunday and said waves as high as three metres were expected in the Amami islands in the south.

In a briefing, a Japan Meteorological Agency official urged people not to go near the sea until the tsunami advisory and more serious tsunami warnings had been lifted.

Meanwhile Residents in various California cities, including Santa Monica and Santa Cruz, have begun to experience minor flooding as a result of the tsunami.

The National Weather Service issued a warning to those on the West Coast: "A Tsunami is occurring. Remember- the first wave may not be that largest.

"Move away from the shore and head to high ground."

Similar warnings were issued by authorities in Australia - where officials said a swathe of coastline including Sydney could be hit by tsunami waves.

People in New South Wales were "advised to get out of the water and move away from the immediate water's edge".

GAS, ASH AND SMOKE

New Zealand's military said it was monitoring the situation and remained on standby and ready to assist the nation.

Horrifying satellite images from space showed the huge eruption, which lasted at least eight minutes and sent plumes of gas, ash and smoke several miles into the air.

The Tonga Meteorological Services said a tsunami warning was in effect for all of Tonga as the island's capital lies just 65km north of the volcano.

The head of Tonga Geological Services, Taaniela Kula, urged people to stay indoors, wear a mask outside and cover rainwater reservoirs in case of acid rain.

The explosion of the volcano was the latest in a series of spectacular eruptions.

One Twitter user posted a video showing waves hitting the shoreline.

He said: "Can literally hear the volcano eruption, sounds pretty violent. Raining ash and tiny pebbles, darkness blanketing the sky."

Tongan resident Mere Taufa said the eruption hit as her family was preparing for dinner - and her younger brother thought bombs were exploding nearby.

TONGA KING EVACUATED

She told New Zealand news site Stuff.co.nz: "My first instinct was to take cover under the table, I grabbed my little sister, and screamed at my parents and others in the house to do the same."

Taufa said the next thing she knew, water was rushing into their home.

"You could just hear screams everywhere, people screaming for safety, for everyone to get to higher ground," she said.

Tonga's King Tupou VI was reported to have been evacuated from the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa and taken by a police convoy to a villa away from the coastline.

The Matangi Tonga news site said scientists had seen massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting early on Friday.