Residents flee as Japan warns of giant waves as high as three metres and a tsunami hits California – following a volcano eruption in the South Pacific.

Japan has warned of waves as high as three metres, and waves of 1.2 metres hit the south of the country.

The US warned of strong currents and waves, and coastal flooding.

The huge underwater volcanic eruption near Tonga caused waves of more than a metre to crash into the shoreline.

VOLCANO LEAVES DESTRUCTION ACROSS TONGA

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano was heard across the South Pacific, with nearby countries put on notice.

Many parts of Tonga, whose capital is just 65km (40 miles) south of the eruption, are covered in ash.

The extent of any injuries or damage is still unclear.

Video footage shows water washing through a church and several homes.

Dramatic eruption

Satellites show the incredible moment the volcano dramatically erupted.

Japan and Fiji on alert

In Japan, the 1.2m tsunami was recorded in the Kominato district of Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Residents say the noise of the eruption made “loud thunder sounds” in Fiji, more than 800km away. 

The Fijian government issued a tsunami advisory and opened evacuation centres for people in coastal areas.

Australia tsunami warning

A tsunami warning has been issued for parts of Australia’s east coast and Tasmania.

In New Zealand, which is more than 2,300km away from Tonga, the National Emergency Management Agency said coastal areas on the north and east coast of the North Island could see “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore”.