Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai Volcano Eruption Sends Shockwaves into Space

On January 15, 2022, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai volcano erupted with unprecedented force, producing shockwaves that traveled not only through the Earth but also reached the upper layers of our atmosphere. Scientists revealed that this colossal underwater eruption was one of the most explosive events in modern history, sending a plume of ash and gas soaring over 31 miles high, far surpassing commercial airliner altitudes. New research published in the AGU Advances journal investigated the remarkable scale of these shockwaves, which even disrupted satellite orbits, illustrating the eruption's far-reaching impacts. The eruption triggered massive tsunamis that devastated nearby islands, with reports indicating that while fewer than ten people lost their lives, approximately 85% of Tonga's population was affected. The economic damage was estimated at $182 million by the World Bank, with significant losses of homes and livelihoods. The government of Tonga characterized the event as an 'unprecedented disaster,' highlighting the severe consequences for thousands of residents. The latest study aimed to understand how such extraordinary shockwaves were generated. Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China examined two primary phenomena: secondary gravity waves and Lamb waves. Their findings suggested that the secondary gravity waves, formed when the initial shockwaves broke apart, were primarily responsible for the disturbances at satellite altitudes. The research emphasized that the Tonga eruption exemplifies how seismic events can impact atmospheric levels traditionally thought to be unaffected by volcanic activity. The eruption, likened in power to the Tsar Bomba, underscores the significance of volcanic events in shaping atmospheric conditions critical for technology-dependent functions such as communications and climate forecasting. Overall, the study has widened our understanding of the relationship between volcanic activity and atmospheric dynamics, paving the way for future research in geophysics and related disciplines.