Volcano Eruption In South Pacific Sends Shock Wave 7000 Miles To Michigan
The volcano that erupted in the South Pacific last Saturday was so strong, shock waves were sent all across the United States as well as right here in Michigan.
The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano which is most referred to as Tonga sent shockwaves during its latest eruption that were detected 7,000 miles from the Pacific Islands of Tonga.
According to WOOD, the volcanic eruption completely decimated the island. Luckily it is uninhabited. Tonga comprises 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited.
Shock waves were felt all over the Earth but it was the drop in pressure that was registering in Michigan. So there wasn't really a shake of the earth that was felt in the mitten state but a significant drop in pressure was detected on atmospheric stations.
Tongas eruption on January 15 wasn't the first for 2022 or late 2021. Tonga erupted on January 13 as well as back on December 20 of 2021.
In 2015 the eruption was so large from Tonga it caused a new island to be formed that was 1.2 miles long.
The Tonga eruption on January 15 was more violent than the previous eruptions. Tonga caused a tsunami around the Pacific. Eruptions of this caliber usually happen about every 1,000 years so hopefully, Tonga is all set for a while.
There was a sonic boom created from Tonga that could be heard as far away as Alaska. This was one of the most energetic explosions of the 21st century so far.
Nature has a lot of power that can generate massive force whether it's a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, lightning strike, or volcano.
One of the hidden dangers of these underwater volcanoes is even if they are not erupting, they can produce pockets of bubbles under the surface that reduce the water's density and this can cause ships to sink.
Tonga produced a massive amount of ash into the atmosphere. This could lead to short-term cooling of our atmosphere, there is also the possibility of a very small long-term warming effect.