Island volcanoes can generate tsunamis, which are a significant hazard.
The Rayleigh wave was imperceptible to humans, but the seismometers had no problem picking it up.
The record-breaking eruption occurred on January 15, 2022.
A satellite image of the Tonga eruption.Images: NASA Earth Observatory / Joshua Stevens / Lauren Dauphin / CALIPSO data from NASA/CNES, MODIS and VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership, and GOES imagery courtesy of NOAA and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)
The previous record-holder was the huge 1991eruption of Mount Pinatuboin the Philippines.
As the team notes, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai eruption was not preceded by any apparent surface activity.
Consequently, the Rayleigh wave was the main indicator of the imminent destruction.
Then, the source parameters are used to disseminate Tsunami early warning.
Researchers are regularly finding new methods to spot potential disasters early.
Hopefully, the insights gained from the record-setting explosion can help people better prepare for future events like it.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
