It was an underwater volcano in the Pacific Ocean, near the island of Tonga, which erupted twice during the day this Saturday, causing a tsunami in Tonga and nearby islands, and a smaller tsunami also reached the coasts of the American continent. In this context, the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy, SHOA, declared a tsunami alert in 6 regions of the country, generating the evacuation of the coastline.
Near midnight the SHOA canceled such alerts in the corresponding regions, but maintained a state of caution in the rest of the regions. This Sunday morning, said state of precaution was maintained only for the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Atacama, Coquimbo, Ñuble and Bío Bío, “according to the latest analyzes of the sea level stations,” according to the National Office of Emergencies.77
“It is worth repeating that in the case of the state of precaution, the population must stay away from the beach area,” ONEMI pointed out, which also explained that together with SHOA they will maintain a permanent evaluation of the situation.
#PressONEMI #ONEMIReports Tsunami Alert is canceled for the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Atacama and Coquimbo. https://t.co/JnujaicRdd pic.twitter.com/GORdX1e8E5
— onemichile (@onemichile) January 16, 2022
The Minister of the Interior, Rodrigo Delgado, during the afternoon, defined the information they have obtained as “zigzagging”, and made a de facto call to maintain caution.
“There are no records of something similar that has affected Chile in recent history (…) unlike a traditional earthquake, when there is an explosion of an underwater volcanic eruption it is much more unpredictable,” the Secretary of State stressed.
In the midst of the alerts, President Sebastián Piñera asked to collaborate with the authorities and stated that the government is monitoring the situation.
@onemichile has declared a preventive tsunami alert in 6 regions of our country and caution in another seven. We are monitoring the situation.
I ask everyone to comply with the instructions and collaborate with the authorities. It is the best way to take care of yourself and protect your loved ones.
– Sebastian Piñera (@sebastianpinera) January 16, 2022
The deputy director of ONEMI, Claudio Aldea, recalled that the “state of precaution is established when there is a threat of a minor tsunami, which is between 30 centimeters and one meter and if this occurs and is determined, people must leave the beach area , coastal walks, coves”.
