Tonga volcano could cause unusual weather for rest of decade: study
- June 3, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
Tonga volcano could cause unusual weather for rest of decade: study
Sub: Geography
Sec: Geomorphology
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Eruption:
- Erupted on January 15, 2022, in Tonga.
- Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai is a submarine volcano in the South Pacific located about 30 km (19 mi) south of the submarine volcano of Fonuafoʻou and 65 km (40 mi) north of Tongatapu, Tonga’s main island.
- It is part of the highly active Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone and its associated volcanic arc, which extends from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji and is formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Indo-Australian Plate.
- It lies about 100 km (62 mi) above a very active seismic zone.
- Consequences: Triggered a Pacific-wide tsunami and sent sound waves globally multiple times.
- Study: New research in the Journal of Climate examines the eruption’s climate impacts.
A peculiar feature of Hunga Tonga- Hunga Ha’apai Eruption:
- Typical Volcanic Smoke contains sulphur dioxide, leading to short-term cooling by forming sulphate aerosols that reflect sunlight.
- But, Hunga Tonga’s eruption produced minimal smoke but released 100-150 million tonnes of water vapour into the stratosphere.
- This amount of water vapour, unprecedented in volcanic eruptions, contributes to ozone layer depletion and acts as a potent greenhouse gas.
Key Findings:
- Ozone Hole: The eruption contributed to the unusually large ozone hole observed from August to December 2023.
- Wetter Summer 2024: The eruption led to an unexpectedly wet summer in 2024, despite predictions of a dry season due to El Niño.
- Future Weather Effects: Potential long-term impacts on winter weather patterns for several years.
Research Approach:
- Stratospheric Impact:
- Researchers used satellite data to monitor water vapour in the stratosphere.
- Climate models simulated future scenarios with and without the water vapour from the eruption.
- Findings:
- Predicted ozone hole and weather impacts, such as wetter summers in Australia and varying winter patterns globally.
- Small impact on global mean temperatures (0.015°C), indicating high recent temperatures are not due to the eruption.
Long-term Regional Impacts:
- Australia: Colder and wetter winters in the northern region up to 2029.
- North America: Warmer winters.
- Scandinavia: Colder winters.
Source: TH