Tonga’s January volcano eruption has been declared the largest in the world

Tonga’s most recent volcanic eruption in January was the biggest explosion ever recorded in modern history.

New data suggests the natural disaster was far bigger than any previous volcanic events and even any atom bomb test after World War II. 

It’s believed only the Krakatoa eruption of 1883 rivalled the Tonga volcano, the Indonesian explosion that claimed more than 30,000 lives. 

Scientists are now able to access a huge array of ground-based and space-borne instruments, allowing them to monitor the Earth across the entire light spectrum.

The Tonga explosion produced a number of atmospheric pressure waves felt in many parts of the world, even as far as Alaska. 

The devastation from the South African floods is becoming evident as rescuers continue the search for dozens of missing people.

Extremely heavy rains triggered a wave of floods and mudslides, killing over 440 individuals.

Torrential rain has been pouring for over a week and locals fear the rain will continue.

The floods have caused severe damage to the nation’s infrastructure with repairs costs expected to surpass 600 million dollars.

In KwaZulu-Natal, over 4,000 homes have been destroyed and more than 8,000 were damaged.

Nearly 300 schools and some health facilities have also been ruined.

One of South Africa’s busiest ports, Durban, has been disrupted due to the heavy rain.

Thousands of individuals have been left homeless and unable to access basic supplies.

Many individuals currently don’t have access to power and water services.

The government has declared a nationwide state of disaster and instructed over 10,000 troops to assist with clean up.

Along with mop-up work and transporting aid, the troops will provide medical support.

The government has also arranged helicopters for rescue and reconnaissance missions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the floods are a direct correlation to climate change.

The nation’s president has also delayed a working visit to Saudi Arabia to focus on the disaster.

Amanda Gunn contributed to this report

There are fears that nuclear weapons may have been on board the Russian cruiser Moskva, which sunk in the Black Sea.

Anti-ship missiles P-1000 “Vulkan”, which can possibly carry a nuclear warhead were carried by the Moskva cruiser.

The sinking of the Soviet-era Moskva in the Black Sea prompted Russia to launch a retaliation against a weapons factory in Ukraine.

The defence ministry says it targeted the ‘Vizar’ plant on the edge of Kyiv, which it says manufactures Neptune anti-ship missiles.

It comes as the UK also announced plans to send anti-warship Harpoon missiles to Kyiv.

Moskva – a 40-year-old symbol of Russian military might – was left a smouldering wreck after taking two direct missile hits.

It sunk as it was being towed to Crimea for repairs.

Captain death claim

Ukraine claims the captain of the Moskva died in the missile attack.

He “died during an explosion and fire on board the former flagship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation,” said Anton Gerashenko, advisor to the Kyiv interior ministry.

The official added: “We do not mourn.”