Hunga Tonga Eruption's Impact on Weather
What are the Key Points About Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcano ?
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano is in the western South Pacific Ocean, west of the main inhabited islands in the Kingdom of Tonga.
It is one of 12 confirmed submarine volcanoes along the Tofua Arc, a segment of the larger Tonga-Kermadec volcanic arc.
The Tonga-Kermadec arc formed as a result of subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Indo-Australian Plate.
It is an undersea Volcano consisting of two small uninhabited islands, Hunga-Ha’apai and Hunga-Tonga
Unexpected Effects from Underwater Volcano
Hunga Tonga erupted in 2022, causing a tsunami and global sound waves.
A new study explores the eruption's surprising climate impacts.
Water Vapor, Not Ash, the Culprit
Unlike typical eruptions, Hunga Tonga produced little ash but a massive amount of water vapor.
This vapor reached the stratosphere, a dry layer high in the atmosphere.
Water vapor in the stratosphere can:
Deplete the ozone layer (contributing to the large ozone hole in 2023).
Act as a greenhouse gas.
Unprecedented Event, Uncertain Future
Satellite monitoring of stratospheric water vapor is a recent development, limiting historical comparisons.
Climate models were used to predict future effects of the water vapor.
The Model's Predictions
The 2023 ozone hole was likely linked to Hunga Tonga.
Water vapor's influence on the ozone hole is expected to be short-lived.
Global temperature increase from the eruption is minimal (0.015°C).
Regional Weather Shifts Predicted
Colder, wetter winters expected in northern Australia until 2029.
Warmer winters predicted for North America.
Colder winters expected in Scandinavia.
These effects are attributed to changes in atmospheric wave patterns caused by the water vapor.
More Research Needed
This study is a starting point for understanding the long-term effects of stratospheric water vapor.
Further research is needed to confirm or contradict these findings.
Overall, the Hunga Tonga eruption highlights the potential for unexpected climate impacts from volcanic events.
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