Undersea volcano erupts off Tonga coast

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-20-2009 10:17

An undersea volcano has been erupting for days near Tonga. The steam and ash column first appeared on Monday morning, after a series of sharp earthquakes.

Spectators watch as an undersea volcano erupts off the coast of Tonga, tossing clouds of smoke, steam and ash thousands of feet (meters) into the sky above the South Pacific ocean, Wednesday, March 18, 2009. The eruption was at sea about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the  southwest coast off the main island of Tongatapu, an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Scientists sailed to inspect the scene of shooting smoke, steam and ash thousands of meters into the sky above the South Pacific ocean.

Geologists say that spectacular columns are spewing out of the sea near the southwest coast off the main island of Tongatapu, an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered. Authorities say the eruption does not pose any danger to islanders at this stage.

A 7.9 magnitude undersea earthquake struck off the coast of the South Pacific island country of Tonga on Friday morning.

It was centered some 210 kilometers from the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.