After being relatively inactive since 2014,[1] the Hunga Tonga volcano erupted on 20 December 2021, sending particulates into the stratosphere, and a large plume of ash was visible from Nukuʻalofa, the capital city of Tonga, about 70 kilometres (43 mi) from the volcano.[2] The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Wellington, New Zealand, issued an advisory notice to airlines.[3] Explosions were heard up to 170 kilometres (110 mi) away.[4] This initial eruption ended at 02:00 on 21 December.[2] Volcanic activity continued, and on 25 December, the island had increased in size on satellite imagery.[5] As activity on the island decreased, it was declared dormant on 11 January 2022.[6]