Hunga Tonga Volcano

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.