This was an aerial capture from an unmanned aircraft viewing northeastward with Hunga Ha'apai Island in the forefront and Hunga Tonga Island in the left background. This was possible by a voluntary assistance of the His Majesty's Armed Forces Naval Vessel Ngahau Koula, taking the Tonga Geological Survey Team to observe the sudden explosive eruption observed on Himawari satellite with volcanic ash rising to over 25km into the atmosphere. This occurred suddenly after the volcano had appeared silent for almost 7 days prior.

This huge display of gigantic release of energy was expected to be the end of the eruption. However, it was not to be.

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