Saturday’s volcanic eruption on a remote Pacific island reminds us of how powerful and whimsical nature is.
The underwater eruption was so vast it was easily seen in satellite photos from space. Ash and smoke bellowed 19 miles high. A sonic boom from the eruption could be heard across the South Pacific and as far away as Alaska, 5,800 miles away. The shock sent tsunami waves halfway around the world, five hours to reach New Zealand, 1,500 miles away; 11 hours to Alaska. In Peru, 6,600 miles away, two people drowned off a beach due to high waves caused by the tsunami.
The massive Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano was nestled between two small islands, connected by the uppermost part of the caldera — the opening of the volcano — which spanned about 3.5 miles.
Below the water’s surface, the volcano extended 6,000 feet down to the ocean floor.
The volcano had erupted regularly over the past few decades. In December, activity ratcheted up.
Satellite photos show that on Saturday, the volcano’s cone sank from sight. Two hours later, the sleeping giant erupted.
Saturday’s explosion could signal more to come, scientists say. The volcano’s caldera — a newly created crater from the explosion — “has awoken.”
About 170 islands comprise the Tongan archipelago about 2,000 miles east of Australia. The volcano was on an uninhabited island about 40 miles north of the capital. Little now remains of the island, the explosion was so vast.
Because their communications systems were virtually destroyed, we still don’t know much about how Tongans are fairing. Damage to an undersea cable has thwarted international communication. Even satellite phones have been useless because of the lingering ash cloud.
The first aerial photos from today show the islands are blanked in dark gray ash.
More than 100,000 could be affected. The lack of potable water is of extreme concern.
It’s because of weather satellites stationed almost 25,000 miles above Earth that we know about the volcano in Tonga.
The ingenious spacecraft can scan an entire hemisphere every few minutes, relaying images that help predict forecasts that tell us how to prepare for each day.
The world’s first weather satellite was launched by NASA in 1960.
Experts say Saturday’s eruption was so big — the largest in 30 years — it was best witnessed from space. Two generations ago, that would not have been possible.
— Susan Lynn
