Tongan Volcanic Eruption of 2022 Causes Significant Ozone Depletion, Study Finds
A recent study published in the journal Science has revealed that the volcanic eruption in Tonga in 2022 led to a major depletion of ozone. The eruption injected a massive amount of water vapor into the stratosphere, resulting in a depletion of ozone at unprecedented levels.
According to the international team of researchers from the US and Europe, the eruption released an extraordinary amount of water vapor, approximately 10% of the total global mean stratospheric burden, reaching altitudes of up to 55 kilometers. This injection of water vapor led to a rapid decrease in stratospheric ozone by 5% within just one week following the eruption, primarily above the tropical southwestern Pacific and Indian Ocean region.
The depletion of ozone caused by this eruption exceeded that of previous eruptions, highlighting the exceptional nature of the submerged Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano’s eruption on January 15, 2022. To understand the impact of the volcanic plume on ozone, the researchers combined balloon measurements taken near Reunion Island, zenith sky observations, and satellite data.
Ozone plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiations from the Sun. The increased water vapor content in the stratosphere resulted in a series of interactions with other volcanic components, such as aerosols, ultimately breaking down ozone over the tropical regions.
The scientists noted that the volcanic plume contained up to 300 water molecules per million in the stratosphere, significantly higher than the usual four million. This substantial increase had a profound impact on atmospheric chemistry and led to enhanced ozone loss.
While the eruption did not affect the 2022 ozone hole season in Antarctica due to timing constraints, the researchers expected the volcanic material to cause unusual polar ozone depletion in the future. However, the 2023 ozone hole season has not shown any significant anomalies, contrary to expectations.
Olaf Morgenstern, principal scientist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), New Zealand, commented on the findings. He stated that nature did not behave as anticipated, and the reasons behind this will be explored further. Morgenstern was not directly involved in the study.
Earlier this year, NIWA participated in a research project alongside other institutions, which revealed that the Tongan eruption broke records for the fastest underwater flows of volcanic material ever recorded.
The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the effects of volcanic eruptions on the Earth’s ozone layer and emphasize the need for continued monitoring of such events to better understand their impact on atmospheric chemistry and climate.
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