The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in Tonga recently had its most powerful eruption since AD 1100, causing significant damage and global effects. The eruption occurred on January 15th and resulted in a mushroom cloud of ash reaching 30 kilometers high. The ash cloud also traveled more than 3000 kilometers west to Australia.
The eruption triggered a tsunami wave that reached 1.19 meters in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga. Videos on social media showed waves crashing into houses in Tonga and reaching as far as Japan and Peru. Two drownings occurred in Peru due to the abnormally large waves. The extent of the destruction in Tonga is still unknown due to damage to the country’s main undersea phone and internet cable.
Satellite images showed the volcanic ash reaching different parts of the world, including the US, UK, and Europe. The resulting sonic boom from the explosion was heard in nearby Fiji, New Zealand, and even in Alaska, over 9000 kilometers away. The eruption also generated nearly 400,000 lightning bolts above the volcano.
Experts warn that further volcanic activity could occur, leading to additional tsunamis. The eruption released a large amount of sulfur dioxide gas, which could potentially cause acid rain in Tonga and Fiji and affect crops and drinking water. However, experts believe that the amount of sulfur dioxide is not enough to cause global cooling.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano is mostly underwater, with only its top 100 meters visible. It has been showing signs of activity since December 20th, with intermittent eruptions and small blast noises. Previous research indicated that mega-eruptions occur on the volcano roughly once every thousand years. The volcano has continued to erupt at a low level since the recent explosion, and more explosive events may occur in the coming days or weeks.
Overall, the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in Tonga has had significant impacts locally and globally, causing destruction, tsunamis, and atmospheric effects. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, and scientists will continue to monitor the volcano for further activity.
