The Largest Volcanic Eruption Ever Seen: Tonga's Explosive Calamity

🌋The eruption in Tonga is one of the largest ever seen, with a plume hundreds of kilometers across.

🌊The eruption caused a tsunami that spread around the Pacific, impacting nearby islands and reaching the US West Coast.

⚡️The eruption generated a significant amount of lightning strikes, with over a hundred thousand logged by lightning tracker networks.

🛰️Satellites captured detailed images and data of the eruption, providing valuable information for scientists studying volcanic events.

🌍The eruption's worldwide effects include pressure waves detected across different countries and potential long-term climate impact due to debris in the atmosphere.

What caused the eruption in Tonga?

—The eruption in Tonga was caused by the melting of the Pacific Plate as it subducts underneath the Australian plate.

Were there any fatalities from the eruption?

—No fatalities have been reported so far from the eruption in Tonga.

Did the eruption affect other countries?

—The eruption caused a tsunami that spread around the Pacific, impacting nearby islands and reaching the US West Coast.

How did satellites contribute to studying the eruption?

—Satellites provided detailed images and data of the eruption, helping scientists track the plume, detect lightning strikes, and analyze the worldwide effects.

Could the eruption have long-term climate impacts?

—The eruption's debris in the atmosphere raises concerns about potential long-term climate impacts, although the scale is not yet known.

00:02A satellite captures images of one of the largest volcanic eruptions ever seen in Tonga.

00:23The eruption occurs in Hunger Tonga, creating a massive plume visible from space.

01:10No fatalities have been reported from the eruption, but a tsunami spreads around the Pacific.

02:36The eruption generates a significant amount of lightning strikes, with over a hundred thousand logged.

03:15Satellites like Himawari 8 and Goes West capture detailed images of the eruption and its impact.

03:53Pressure waves from the eruption are detected in different countries, showing the event's powerful impact.

05:58Planet Labs' satellites provide continuous observation, tracking changes in the eruption over time.

07:41The eruption raises concerns about debris in the atmosphere and potential long-term climate impacts.