Tonga’s big blast and other spectacular eruptions

The volcanic eruption on the small islet of Hunga Ha’apai, near Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa on Thursday has devastated birdlife and vegatation in the area, but reminded us of how spectacular vocanic erutions can be.

Many will have been reminded of Mt Ruapehu’s sizeable eruption in 1995

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Owqm4KHiM[/youtube]

Wired has collected a series of photos of some of the most spectacular eruptions of recent times.

And here’s the Tongan eruption itself as filmed from a boat surprisingly close to the action.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_egHzbw2OLI[/youtube]