Extremely offline: what happened when a Pacific island was cut off from the internet | Samanth Subramanian

The news article discusses the aftermath of a colossal volcanic eruption in Tonga in January 2022, which severed the underwater cables that connected the Pacific island nation to the rest of the world. The eruption caused significant disruption to Tonga's 21st-century way of life, exposing the fragility of its dependence on the internet. The article focuses on the experiences of Sam Vea, a resident of Tofoa, Tonga, who witnessed the eruption and its immediate aftermath. Vea and his family had to take shelter as the skies filled with dust and ash, and the roads became clogged with cars as people fled the area. The eruption had a profound impact on the island, cutting off its connection to the outside world and leaving its residents in a state of "extreme offline" existence. The article highlights the importance of reliable communication infrastructure and the vulnerabilities that can arise when such infrastructure is disrupted, especially in remote and isolated regions like Tonga. The event serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that can arise when modern technology and connectivity are suddenly taken away.