Deep in the South Pacific near Tonga, the ocean surface suddenly opened. The Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupted with extraordinary force, sending a vertical column of ash, steam, and volcanic gases tens of kilometers into the atmosphere. From the air, its core glowing orange as superheated material burst upward, while a shockwave spread outward across the ocean surface. What you’re seeing isn’t just smoke. It’s a rapidly expanding plume where seawater, magma, and gas collided. As magma co

On Jan. 13, 2022, the Himawari-8 satellite captured an explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, located in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga. 🌋 A tidal gauge in Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga, measured a one-foot tsunami wave that resulted from the blast. Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and operational partners at the Japan Meteorological Agency | Science Channel

Today, 15 January, marks two years since the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption and tsunami. It is a day of reflection as we remember those who lost their lives and livelihoods. The disaster impacted the country deeply, and will continue to do so for years to come. While the road to recovery is long, today is also a day to reflect on the community spirit, resilience and fortitude of the people of Tonga. In the days, months and years after the tsunami, Tongans have worked together and cared for o

NEW: Researchers discover the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano triggered atmospheric gravity waves that reached the edge of space. The waves reverberated around the planet at least six times and reached close to their theoretical maximum speeds – at 320m per second or 720mph. The study also confirmed the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai submarine volcano in January 2022 was one of the most explosive volcanic events of the modern era. Co-author Dr Scott Osprey, Department of Physics, Un

The New Zealand High Commission recently returned to Hunga to see what had become of Tonga's newest island, which formed between Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai islands following an underwater volcanic eruption in January 2015. Experts said the new island would probably exist only a few months until ocean waves wore it down. Take a look at what we found. Video credit: New Zealand High Commission. | New Zealand High Commission, Nuku'alofa, Tonga

NASA has followed the Pacific Islands evolution for years. Then Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted. 🌋 “It gave us a window into a rapid-paced life history of an island that we can compare to hundreds of other islands in the oceans over time,” said Jim Garvin, Chief Scientist at NASA Goddard. Through the eyes of NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and ESA - European Space Agency satellites, scientists are able to study the life cycle of volcanic islands – from formation to erupti

The Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai is a volcanic island in Tonga that was effectively erased by the massive underwater eruption in January 2022. Formation and destruction: The island initially formed in 2014–2015 from volcanic activity. However, the catastrophic eruption on January 15, 2022, obliterated much of the island — satellite radar data revealed that most of the land had vanished, leaving only remnants of the original structures. #geology #geologyfeatures #geologist #geologywonders | Geology