The death of an island, captured by satellites - Earth.com

The death of an island, captured by satellites

12-27-2022

Today’s Video of the Day from NASA Goddard describes the explosive nature of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption on January 15, 2022. The eruption was so powerful that it sent a tsunami around the world and set off a sonic boom that circled the globe twice, says NASA.

“The underwater eruption in the South Pacific Ocean also blasted an enormous plume of water vapor into Earth’s stratosphere – enough to fill more than 58,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. The sheer amount of water vapor could be enough to temporarily affect Earth’s global average temperature.”

NASA explains that with the help of satellites, we’ve been able to see the birth of the island happen in ways we haven’t been able to before. “And with modern satellite technology, we’re also able to see the end of the island’s life cycle in new detail, as we did with the January eruption.”

“This has happened in Earth’s history in famous places like Yellowstone, Taupo, New Zealand, Krakatoa… And now in the island nation of Tonga.” 

Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard

By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer

News coming your way
The biggest news about our planet delivered to you each day