Melbourne, Australia – Scientists are putting forward a new theory regarding the powerful eruption that occurred in Tonga in 2022. They suggest that the extreme force behind the event may have been caused by a buildup of gas rather than the interaction of magma and water.
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano in the South Pacific Ocean on January 15, 2022, resulted in the most formidable lightning storm ever recorded and the first mega-tsunami in ancient times.
Previous research indicated that the underwater eruption was a result of two magma chambers merging, but the exact trigger of the blast remained unclear. According to a study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research on April 21, researchers found that the traditional explanation of magma meeting seawater was unlikely due to limitations in heat transfer and a lack of clear satellite evidence.
The scientists proposed that a significant buildup of gas underneath a seal within the volcano, rather than magma-seawater interaction, led to the eruption on January 15. This conclusion was drawn from observations of water depth and satellite imagery, following a series of smaller eruptions between December 19, 2021, and January 13, 2022.
Lead author Richard Henley, an honorary professor of material physics at the Australian National University, described the event as a Plinian eruption, a common type typically associated with erupting volcanoes. Henley and his team introduced a new factor behind the intense explosiveness of Plinian eruptions, challenging past theories that attributed the violence to magma-seawater interaction.
Co-author Cornel de Ronde, principal scientist at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited in New Zealand, emphasized the eye-opening nature of the Tonga eruption, indicating a shift in understanding of volcanic activity. These findings suggest that the power of the Tonga eruption was not solely dependent on its location underwater.
The research findings shed light on the complexities of volcanic eruptions and highlight the importance of considering various factors beyond traditional explanations. Scientists continue to explore the underlying mechanisms that drive such catastrophic events, aiming to improve our understanding and preparedness for future volcanic activity.