The scientists are offering a new theory for the extreme force behind the 2022 Tonga eruption. They believe the built-up gas, and not the interaction of magma and water, might have been the prime culprit.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an underwater volcano in the South Pacific Ocean, erupted on January 15, 2022, releasing the most powerful lightning storm ever recorded and also the first known mega-tsunami since ancient times.&nbsp;

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While previous research signified that the underwater eruption was due to the two merging magma chambers, exactly what sparked the blast was unclear.&nbsp;

"Past explanations focused on magma meeting seawater," the researchers wrote in a new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research on April 21. However, they found this unlikely due to limitations in heat transfer and a lack of clear satellite evidence.

Instead, they wrote, water depth and satellite observations point to a massive buildup of gas underneath a seal inside the volcano that unexpectedly broke on Jan&nbsp;15 after a series of smaller eruptions between Dec&nbsp;19, 2021, and Jan&nbsp;13, 2022.&nbsp;

"What we saw during this event was a Plinian eruption," lead author Richard Henley, an honorary professor of material physics at the Australian National University, said. "These are the common kind most people think of when picturing an erupting volcano."&nbsp;

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However, Henley and his team propose a new factor behind the intense explosiveness of Plinian eruptions, including the record-breaking Tonga event. Their findings challenge past theories that blamed the violence on magma-seawater interaction. Notably, this suggests the immense power of the Tonga eruption wasn't dependent on its underwater location.

"The eruption at Hunga has opened our eyes," co-author Cornel de Ronde, principal scientist at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited in New Zealand, said in the statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists are offering a new theory for the extreme force behind the 2022 Tonga eruption. They believe the built-up gas, and not the interaction of magma and water, might have been the prime culprit.

The scientists are offering a new theory for the extreme force behind the 2022 Tonga eruption. They believe the built-up gas, and not the interaction of magma and water, might have been the prime culprit. The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an underwater volcano in the South Pacific Ocean, erupted on January 15, 2022, releasing the most powerful lightning storm ever recorded and also the first known mega-tsunami since ancient times. Also read: Heartbreaking reality: Over 321,000 children left orphaned due to America's drug epidemic between 2011-2021 While previous research signified that the underwater eruption was due to the two merging magma chambers, exactly what sparked the blast was unclear. "Past explanations focused on magma meeting seawater," the researchers wrote in a new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research on April 21. However, they found this unlikely due to limitations in heat transfer and a lack of clear satellite evidence. Instead, they wrote, water depth and satellite observations point to a massive buildup of gas underneath a seal inside the volcano that unexpectedly broke on Jan 15 after a series of smaller eruptions between Dec 19, 2021, and Jan 13, 2022. "What we saw during this event was a Plinian eruption," lead author Richard Henley, an honorary professor of material physics at the Australian National University, said. "These are the common kind most people think of when picturing an erupting volcano." Also read: Is an ocean of magma creating atmosphere on this 'Super Earth'? The possibility has scientists excited However, Henley and his team propose a new factor behind the intense explosiveness of Plinian eruptions, including the record-breaking Tonga event. Their findings challenge past theories that blamed the violence on magma-seawater interaction. Notably, this suggests the immense power of the Tonga eruption wasn't dependent on its underwater location. "The eruption at Hunga has opened our eyes," co-author Cornel de Ronde, principal scientist at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited in New Zealand, said in the statement. (With inputs from agencies)

The 2022 underwater Tonga eruption likely happened because of THIS reason

Last year's Tonga volcano explosion packed quite a punch. As per research, the explosion was around 1,000 times more powerful than the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on Japan's Hiroshima in 1945. Its magnitude was comparable to the most powerful nuclear detonation by the US: the Castle Bravo bomb that was detonated at Bikini Atoll in the year 1954.

Scientists have reached these estimates by using eye and earwitness accounts, along with data from tide gauges, satellites, evidence of broken windows and other sources.&nbsp;

According to them, the January 15, 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano likely involved five blasts, the final of which released energy equivalent to about 15 megatonnes of TNT which is 1,000 more powerful than 'Little Boy' the nuclear bomb responsible for Hiroshima's destruction.

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The new study builds on previous research, which revealed that the eruption resulted in the highest ash plume ever recorded, reaching a height of 57 km (35 miles).&nbsp;

Guardian reports that the eruption sent ash and debris 20 km into the air. Previously, it was believed that the volcanic eruption caused a tsunami that hit several islands, with waves reaching as high as 15 metres. However, a computer simulation of the event suggests that the western coast of Tofua Island experienced waves as tall as 45 metres in height.&nbsp;

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Dr Mohammad Heidarzadeh from the University of Bath, who has previously conducted research on the Tonga volcano eruption, has commented on a new study. He noted&nbsp;that the study benefits from a diverse observation dataset, which has enabled the researchers to create the most detailed modelling of the tsunami to date. He also remarked&nbsp;that the results of the study are consistent with his own&nbsp;research, which suggested that the maximum tsunami wave height was 90 metres.

"Modelling tsunamis from volcano eruptions is a challenging task and this has been nicely done," he said, as quoted by the Guardian. "It is interesting that the results are consistent with our previous study on this event, where we reported a maximum tsunami wave height of 90 metres," he added.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Last year's Tonga volcano explosion packed quite a punch. As per research, the explosion was around 1,000 times more powerful than the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on Japan's Hiroshima in 1945.

Last year's Tonga volcano explosion packed quite a punch. As per research, the explosion was around 1,000 times more powerful than the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on Japan's Hiroshima in 1945. Its magnitude was comparable to the most powerful nuclear detonation by the US: the Castle Bravo bomb that was detonated at Bikini Atoll in the year 1954. Scientists have reached these estimates by using eye and earwitness accounts, along with data from tide gauges, satellites, evidence of broken windows and other sources. According to them, the January 15, 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano likely involved five blasts, the final of which released energy equivalent to about 15 megatonnes of TNT which is 1,000 more powerful than 'Little Boy' the nuclear bomb responsible for Hiroshima's destruction. Also read | Up, Up, and Away!: Elon Musk’s SpaceX to try and launch ‘Starship,’ its most powerful rocket ever on Monday The new study builds on previous research, which revealed that the eruption resulted in the highest ash plume ever recorded, reaching a height of 57 km (35 miles). Guardian reports that the eruption sent ash and debris 20 km into the air. Previously, it was believed that the volcanic eruption caused a tsunami that hit several islands, with waves reaching as high as 15 metres. However, a computer simulation of the event suggests that the western coast of Tofua Island experienced waves as tall as 45 metres in height. Also read | Responding to office messages on WhatsApp after work hours? You may be eligible for compensation Dr Mohammad Heidarzadeh from the University of Bath, who has previously conducted research on the Tonga volcano eruption, has commented on a new study. He noted that the study benefits from a diverse observation dataset, which has enabled the researchers to create the most detailed modelling of the tsunami to date. He also remarked that the results of the study are consistent with his own research, which suggested that the maximum tsunami wave height was 90 metres. "Modelling tsunamis from volcano eruptions is a challenging task and this has been nicely done," he said, as quoted by the Guardian. "It is interesting that the results are consistent with our previous study on this event, where we reported a maximum tsunami wave height of 90 metres," he added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Quite a punch! Last year's Tonga volcano eruption was 1,000 times stronger than Hiroshima nuclear bomb

According to scientists, the Tonga volcano eruption which took place in January this year was the strongest in the last 140 years.

The biggest volcano eruption to take place earlier was in 1883 when the Krakatau eruption occurred, scientists said. The researchers found the waves originating from the eruption were similar to that of the Krakatau eruption.

The study revealed&nbsp;the explosion in the atmosphere has not been documented in the "modern geophysical record".

The Hunga explosion produced globally-detected infrasound upto 10,000 km away and also caused "ionospheric perturbations" as seismometers worldwide recorded pure seismic and air-to-ground coupled waves.

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The January 15 explosion had led to an "umbrella cloud" approximately 30 km above sea level as it produced a "broad range of atmospheric waves".

The research found the audible sound was reported across Alaska as far as 10,000 km from Hunga. The research appeared in the Science journal.

Watch:&nbsp;Tonga eruption sent ripples through the ionosphere

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The eruption had destroyed undersea the 80-kilometre long undersea cable as the Pacific island nation remained disconnected for weeks as the eruption, shockwaves and the tsunami caused major havoc.&nbsp;

The carnage hampered relief efforts in the island nation of nearly 100,000 people as backup satellite links also failed due to patchy broadband connection.

The 55 kilometres long undersea cable was lost in the seabed. The explosion occurred even as the main island Tongatapu and outlying Vava'u was under lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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According to scientists, the Tonga volcano eruption which took place in January this year was the strongest in the last 140 years. The biggest volcano eruption to take place earlier was in 1883 when the Krakatau eruption occurred, scientists said.

According to scientists, the Tonga volcano eruption which took place in January this year was the strongest in the last 140 years. The biggest volcano eruption to take place earlier was in 1883 when the Krakatau eruption occurred, scientists said. The researchers found the waves originating from the eruption were similar to that of the Krakatau eruption. The study revealed the explosion in the atmosphere has not been documented in the "modern geophysical record". The Hunga explosion produced globally-detected infrasound upto 10,000 km away and also caused "ionospheric perturbations" as seismometers worldwide recorded pure seismic and air-to-ground coupled waves. Also Read: Musk donates satellite gear to reconnect Tonga The January 15 explosion had led to an "umbrella cloud" approximately 30 km above sea level as it produced a "broad range of atmospheric waves". The research found the audible sound was reported across Alaska as far as 10,000 km from Hunga. The research appeared in the Science journal. Watch: Tonga eruption sent ripples through the ionosphere The eruption had destroyed undersea the 80-kilometre long undersea cable as the Pacific island nation remained disconnected for weeks as the eruption, shockwaves and the tsunami caused major havoc. The carnage hampered relief efforts in the island nation of nearly 100,000 people as backup satellite links also failed due to patchy broadband connection. The 55 kilometres long undersea cable was lost in the seabed. The explosion occurred even as the main island Tongatapu and outlying Vava'u was under lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Tonga volcanic eruption caused biggest explosion since 1883

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The 2022 underwater Tonga eruption likely happened because of THIS reason

Quite a punch! Last year's Tonga volcano eruption was 1,000 times stronger than Hiroshima nuclear bomb

Tonga volcanic eruption caused biggest explosion since 1883