A Massive Underwater Volcano Literally Shook the Edge of Space

When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai volcano blew its top in 2022, it wasn’t just one of the most powerful eruptions in modern history—it literally made waves in space. The explosion sent a towering plume of ash and gas over 31 miles (50 kilometers) into the atmosphere, punching far above where commercial jets cruise and most weather lives. But what really blew scientists’ minds? The ripple effect didn’t stop there. It kept going—all the way to the upper atmosphere, where our satellites circle the planet. A new study published in AGU Advances explains how the gargantuan eruption managed to rattle a part of the planet most volcanoes never touch. Using satellite data and atmospheric modeling, the researchers tested two culprits: lamb waves—pressure waves that “hug” Earth’s surface—and secondary gravity waves, which are generated when the first wave of, uh, waves, break apart high in the sky. The researchers found that the secondary gravity waves were the culprit, as their fast movements ... Read full article.