Did the Tongan Undersea Volcano Eruption Cause Climate Changes?
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Synopsis
The 2022 Hunga volcano eruption in Tonga revealed the underestimated climate effects of submarine volcanism. This unprecedented event, driven by water vapor rather than sulfur, raises critical questions about the future of our planet's climate. Discover the shocking findings from New Zealand and Tongan scientists in this insightful report.
Key Takeaways
- The Hunga eruption released a record-breaking amount of water vapor.
- It is the most powerful volcanic event of the modern era.
- Submarine volcanism has significant, often underestimated climate effects.
- The eruption caused a deadly tsunami and infrastructure damage.
- This event raises important questions about ocean chemistry.
Wellington, April 30 (NationPress) The 2022 Hunga volcano eruption in Tonga unleashed an unprecedented steam plume, leading to extensive and unexpected climate consequences, not due to sulfur but rather water vapor, as reported by scientists from New Zealand and Tonga on Wednesday.
A team of researchers, including staff and students from the University of Auckland, has been working alongside Tongan collaborators to investigate the wider impacts of submarine volcanism in the Southwestern Pacific after the Hunga eruption, recognized as the most powerful volcanic event of the contemporary period.
The findings revealed that the submarine eruption expelled approximately three billion tons of water vapor into the atmosphere within just one hour, propelling moisture over 57 km into the stratosphere and mesosphere, marking the highest volcanic plume ever documented, according to a news release from the University of Auckland.
Shane Cronin, co-lead author of the study and a volcanologist at the University of Auckland, stated, "Submarine volcanism has often been neglected in global climate research due to the minimal atmospheric sulfur dioxide typically released." This was reported by the Xinhua news agency.
In contrast to terrestrial eruptions like the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines, which cooled the planet through sulfur aerosols, Hunga's deep-sea explosion introduced about 20 million tonnes of sulfur directly into the ocean at depths ranging from 300 to 1,100 meters. This reduced its atmospheric impact while raising new concerns regarding undersea emissions and ocean chemistry, Cronin added.
The eruption also triggered a devastating tsunami and caused significant damage to vital infrastructure across Tonga, underscoring the often-overlooked climatic effects of submarine volcanism, as highlighted in the study published in Nature Geoscience.
Point of View
I emphasize the significant implications of the Hunga volcano eruption on global climate patterns. The collaboration between New Zealand and Tongan scientists showcases the importance of understanding submarine volcanism and its underestimated effects on our environment. We must prioritize research in this area to prepare for future climate challenges.
NationPress
17/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the climate impacts from the Hunga eruption?
The climate impacts were primarily driven by water vapor released during the eruption, rather than sulfur.
How much water vapor was released during the eruption?
The eruption released approximately three billion tons of water vapor into the atmosphere in just one hour.
What are the implications of submarine volcanism?
Submarine volcanism has significant climate implications that have often been overlooked in global studies, highlighting the need for further research.
How did the Hunga eruption differ from land-based eruptions?
Unlike land-based eruptions like Mount Pinatubo, the Hunga eruption injected sulfur directly into the ocean, minimizing its atmospheric impact.
What other effects did the eruption have on Tonga?
The eruption caused a deadly tsunami and significant damage to critical infrastructure across Tonga.
