Scientists from around the world have made significant progress in uncovering the secrets of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano, two years after it experienced a massive eruption. This eruption, which occurred in January 2022, not only caused intense lightning storms but also produced the first documented mega tsunami since antiquity.
However, the volcanic activity underneath the ocean’s surface posed a unique challenge for the researchers attempting to understand the eruption. Despite the difficulties, they were still able to make groundbreaking discoveries. By measuring slight variations in gravity in the waters surrounding the island both before and after the eruption, scientists identified two merged magma chambers that played a significant role in the eruption’s intensity.
During the eruption, approximately 30% of the magma from a shallow central chamber was forcefully ejected, leading to the collapse of the volcano’s roof and the formation of a caldera. The pressure drop within the central reservoir allowed for the potential replenishment of magma from a deeper reservoir or the ascent of magma from a gas-rich source into the central chamber.
Interestingly, a third pocket of magma situated northwest of the central chamber appeared to be disconnected from the overall system, leaving scientists perplexed about its role in the volcano’s eruption. The combined main reservoirs still hold an estimated 6.2 cubic miles of eruptible magma, indicating the possibility of future volcanic activities.
However, despite these significant findings, the research team could not definitively determine the trigger that led to the eruption. Nonetheless, this study sheds light on the storage and movement of magma beneath the volcano, providing insights into its behavior.
It is worth noting that these discoveries are based on satellite data, which may have been influenced by factors such as ocean waves and changes in gravity. Nevertheless, the use of satellite data has allowed scientists to make substantial progress in unraveling the mysteries of this underwater volcano.
This eruption was the largest in the past 900 years, highlighting the extreme nature of the event. However, smaller eruptions occur more frequently on the island, which suggests that further monitoring and investigation are essential for understanding volcanic activity in this region. These findings contribute to our knowledge of volcanic behavior and offer valuable insights into predicting future eruptions in the area.
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