As most of our community is probably aware, Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai, an uninhabited volcanic island erupted on 14 January 2022. It has caused tsunamis in Tonga, Fiji, American Samoa, and along the Pacific rim. A wave of 15m (49ft) struck the west coast of the island of Tongatapu, and there have been significant flood inundations and ash deposits that have caused contamination of drinking water. Communications are still limited, and it is likely that the situation will become clearer over the next few days.

Many members of the Wetpixel community have traveled to Tonga and we have friends and colleagues that have been impacted by this event. We fervently hope that you are in a place of safety and that the damage to homes and businesses is limited. Our thoughts are with you.