After an underwater volcano erupted in the Tonga Islands last night, a beach camera captured in Tofino captured large waves arriving at the shores this morning. SUBMITTED

iN VIDEO: Waves caused by volcano arrive at Tofino beach but make a bigger splash in California

The shockwave of an underwater volcano in the Tonga Islands was caught on camera along the shores of Tofino today.

Large waves were seen crashing onto the coastal community's beach by Pacific Sands Beach Resort, while an onlooking couple scrambles for safety after underestimating the velocity of the water.

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The video’s timestamp captures the event at 9:28 a.m. this morning. Emergency Forecast B.C. predicted the waves – which was caused by an eruption several hours earlier and thousands of kilometres away – would arrive at 8:50 a.m. this morning, Jan. 15.

The City of Santa Cruz, California was a little harder hit by the tsunami.

And in the City of Las Angeles, the flow of water in one of its harbour reversed course because of the waves.

READ MORE: Tsunami advisory issued for B.C. due to volcano eruption in Tonga Islands

Not surprisingly, the most intense damage caused by the volcano appears to have happened in the Tonga Islands, the closest landmass to where it erupted. 

The U.S. National Weather Service confirmed that a tsunami has been generated by the eruption and issued warnings for several western coastal areas, including Alaska and B.C.

The National Tsunami Warning Center also issued advisories for the coast of California to the Mexican border and the coasts of Oregon and Washington and the Aleutian Islands.

A tsunami advisory issued earlier this morning has since been rescinded for the coastal areas of British Columbia from The Washing/B.C. Border  to North Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

READ MORE: Tsunami advisory issued for B.C. due to volcano eruption in Tonga Islands

– With files from The Canadian Press

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Dan Walton

Before joining the ranks of InfoTel, Dan’s byline could be found in newspapers in Penticton, Peachland and Oliver. Prior to his arrival in the South Okanagan, he first sharpened his chops as a reporter at a radio station in Brighton, Ontario, and then newspapers in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, and Invermere B.C.
From quilting competitions to crimes against humanity, Dan isn’t afraid to cover any topic. Always seeking out the best angles - whether it’s through the lens of his camera or the voices of his Interviews – he delves into the conflict and seeks out the humanity in every story worth telling.
Dan is always happy to hear from readers. To get in touch for any reason he can be contacted at (250) 488-3065 or dwalton@infonews.ca.

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