The deadly volcanic eruption that occurred earlier this year in the South Pacific country of Tonga was the strongest ever recorded using modern technology, a study has found. For the first time, material ejected during a volcanic eruption was recorded as reaching the mesosphere, ie the center of the five main layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.
This is the conclusion of research by the New Zealand National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research, which was published on Monday.
The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai oceanic eruption in mid-January had the force of several hundred atomic bomb detonations and produced a 50-foot (15 m) tsunami. Three people were killed in the eruption. In addition, houses and communication cables were destroyed underwater, leaving Tonga without an internet connection for weeks.
The New Zealand research team determined that the underwater volcanic eruption ejected nearly 10 cubic kilometers of material, such as rock and ash, into the atmosphere and sea. This corresponds to the volume of 2.6 million Olympic swimming pools.
Photos of the eruption:
An underwater volcano that erupted near Tonga earlier this year produced the highest volcanic plume ever recorded, scientists say. The explosion stretched 35 miles long and hit the edge of space. https://t.co/JpBNTFe7et pic.twitter.com/gCgH6U2CGJ
— CNN (@CNN) November 5, 2022
Some chunks flew up more than 40 kilometers and reached the mesosphere. “The eruption has reached record highs,” said marine geologist Kevin Mackay. “It was like a shotgun shooting straight into the air.”
For the study, Mackay and his colleagues found about three-quarters of the material ejected during the volcanic eruption. The rest was scattered in the Earth’s atmosphere. In their measurements, the New Zealand research team also found that the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai crater is now about 700 meters deeper than before the eruption.
The volcanic eruption in Tonga rivals in strength the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Tens of thousands of people died in what is now Indonesia. At the time, however, there were no modern devices to measure the strength of the eruption, so it remains unclear whether the Krakatoa or Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai eruption was stronger. (sda/afp)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
