Tonga super eruption reached unexpected heights

On January 15th, 2022, the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai violently erupted, spewing an immense plume of ash and gas into the air. The explosion occurred in the midst of the Pacific Ocean near the island chain of Tonga, and caused a tsunami that swept the ocean and pressure waves that circled the Earth for days. Explosive volcanic eruptions like Hunga Tonga pose an immediate threat to nearby communities and disrupt local air travel. They also release gasses like sulfur dioxide that can have long-term effects on the climate. When enough sulfur dioxide is released from a volcano...