Scientists analyzed the effects of the eruption of the Tonga volcano 8 months after its underwater eruption, and discovered that its vapor may contribute to global warming for years.
Researchers had estimated that the eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hong Haba volcano released 50 million tons (45 million metric tons) of water vapor into the atmosphere, in addition to huge amounts of ash and volcanic gases.
This massive injection of steam increased the amount of moisture in the global “stratosphere” by about 5%, and could lead to a cycle of stratospheric cooling and surface heating, and these effects may continue for months to come, according to a new study. The Tonga eruption, the most powerful eruption the planet has seen in decades, spanned 162 miles (260 kilometres) and sent plumes of ash, steam and gas more than 12 miles (20 kilometres) into the air. Tonga released approximately 441,000 tons (400,000 metric tons) of sulfur dioxide.