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Science In Action: One year on from the Tonga eruption

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One year on from the Tonga eruption

05/01/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Science In Action, One year on from the Tonga eruption

We take a look at everything we’ve learnt since the Tonga volcano erupted a year ago.

We go over the scientific discoveries made since the explosive eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai in January 2022.

We’re taking a look back at the January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, which literally sent shockwaves around the world. One year on, and we’re still uncovering what made the volcano so powerful, as well as unpacking its long lasting impacts.

Roland is joined by Professor Shane Cronin from the University of Auckland and Dr Marta Ribó from the Auckland University of Technology to share their findings from their latest trip to survey the volcano.

The impacts of the eruption weren’t just felt on Earth – they also reached all the way to space. Physicist Claire Gasque from the University of California, Berkeley, has been analysing how the eruption affected space weather.

Amongst all the material ejected by Hunga Tonga was a huge amount of water. The massive water vapour cloud is still present in our atmosphere, as Professor Simon Carn from the Michigan Technological University tells us.

The volcano also triggered tsunamis worldwide. Disaster sociologist Dr Sara McBride from the US Geological Survey has been using video footage of the event to analyse how people responded and how we can better prepare for future eruptions.

Image Credit: Tonga Geological Services

Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Sophie Ormiston

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