In the South Pacific, an underwater volcano erupted Saturday near the archipelago nation of Tonga, blanketing islands with volcanic ash, severing communications and sending people rushing to higher ground as a four-foot tsunami crashed into Tonga’s capital. At least three people are dead, but the toll is expected to rise sharply amid early reports that Tonga’s small outer islands suffered catastrophic damage.

Saturday’s eruption triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, striking Japan, the western United States and Peru, where waves triggered an oil spill that polluted beaches near Lima.