(Reuters) -A tsunami alert was issued for many South Pacific islands nations on Saturday after an underwater volcano near Tonga erupted. Social media footage shows waves crashing into houses.

A U.S.-based monitor for tsunamis said that Tsunamis were seen in Tonga’s capital, as well American Samoa’s capital.

According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, the tsunami of 1.2 metres was caused by an eruption of the Hunga Tonga Ha’apai underwater volcanic volcano at 0410 GMT. It is located approximately 65km (40 miles north of Nuku’alofa).

According to the agency, it was continuing to monitor the situation and had not yet issued a tsunami warning to Australia’s islands or territory.

Tsunami waves of 2.7 feet (83 cm) were observed by gauges at the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa and waves of 2 ft at Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Fiji has issued a tsunami alert, warning residents not to go to the beaches “due to dangerous currents or waves”.

Jese Tuisinu is a TV reporter for Fiji One. He posted the video to Twitter (NYSE:) that showed large waves coming ashore and people fleeing in their cars from the approaching waves. He said that it was literally dark in Tonga, and that people were running to safety after the eruption.

American Samoa was later declared safe by the U.S. monitor.

According to the U.S monitor, tsunami waves of 2 feet were detected by the sea-level gauges in the capital of American Samoa.

It stated that the tsunami danger continues, and high sea levels fluctuations and strong currents present hazards on beaches and harbours.

New Zealand’s emergency management office issued an advisory regarding tsunami activity along its North and East coasts. The areas that are likely to see strong, unusual currents or unpredictable surges at shore will be the most affected.

Tonga Geological Services stated in a post on Facebook (NASDAQ) that the volcano released ash, steam, and gas into the atmosphere Friday. The radius is 260km (160 miles).