While Tonga’s neighbours struggled to access information about what was happening on the ground, scientists, equipped with modern monitoring technology, saw the blast in real time
Nearly 36 thousand kilometres overhead the GOES-17 satellite, operated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, recorded and transmitted the terrible mushroom cloud that bloomed over the Pacific, while other satellites gathered data on the explosion’s force, the shockwave it generated and the contents of the plume of gasses that accompanied it.
Volcanic explosions are charted on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, a number from zero to eight, which considers the size of the explosion, the amount of magma blasted out, and the width of the ash plume, among other factors. Like the Richter scale for earthquakes, each step up the scale represents an increase of a factor of 10.Krakatoa’s 1883 eruption, killing 36,417, ranked a six.
As the US-based climate scientist and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report author Zeke Hausfather explained to the, major volcanic eruptions can inject massive amounts of sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere, where it lingers for months, reflecting solar radiation away from earth.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anxious wait for Australia’s Tongan community after volcanoThe last time Sikahema Aholelei spoke to his family in Tonga was on Saturday night at the very moment the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted.
Read more »
Tongan tsunami damage remains unknown as volcanic ash hinders responseThe extent of damage in Tonga following a volcanic eruption remains unknown, with authorities yet to make contact with some coastal areas and smaller islands.
Read more »
Sydney's Tongan community face anxious wait after volcanic eruption and tsunami cuts links to homeFamilies unable to contact loved ones in Tonga after the volcanic eruption attend prayer services to lift their spirits and share information.
Read more »
'I can't get a hold of anyone': Tongan Australians unable to contact loved ones after volcanic eruptionTongan Australians have been desperately trying to contact loved ones on the island nation to offer assistance in the aftermath of an underwater volcanic eruption.
Read more »
A Queensland dad was video calling his son as a tsunami wave smashed through the houseA QLD man was video-calling his four-year-old son yesterday when the tsunami smashed through their home in Tonga. He tried to warn his family to get to higher ground but it was too late. 9News
Read more »
A Queensland dad was video calling his son as a tsunami wave smashed through the houseA QLD man was video-calling his four-year-old son yesterday when the tsunami smashed through their home in Tonga. He tried to warn his family to get to higher ground but it was too late. 9News
Read more »