Tonga, South Pacific Ocean, March 18, 2009--An undersea volcano erupts, sending towering columns of volcanic gas and steam into the air (watch video of the volcanic eruption and read full story).

The explosion started early Monday morning following a series of earthquakes, and continues to spew Thursday.

Tonga's coastal villages, which are located about six miles (ten kilometers) from the blast zone, are thought to be safe, the Associated Press reported

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