International efforts are continuing to reach Tonga after an undersea volcano erupted spewing ash more than 12 miles into the air.
The island chain has lost most communication with the outside world as a result of weekend eruptions that brought tsunami warnings across the Pacific.
Now, Australia and New Zealand are sending reconnaissance flights to assess the damage.
Dave Tappin is the former chief geologist in Tonga and a tsunami expert.
IN: "It is very isolated…."
OUT: "….inbuilt hazard"
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http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0117tonga-tappin.mp3
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says drinking water is urgently needed in Tonga with the major population centers blanked in volcanic ash.
The first death on the island has been confirmed…a British woman Angela Glover was reportedly swept away by waves resulting from the tsunami.