Satellite mission finds that Tonga volcanic eruption effects reached space

The volcano sent shock waves, sonic booms, and waves of water around the world. The effects of the volcano reached space.

Scientists found that in the hours after the eruption, Hurricane-speed winds and unusual electric currents formed in the ionosphere.

The volcano created one of the largest disruptions in space we have seen in the modern era, according to Brian Harding, a physicist at University of California, Berkeley.

ICON is a relatively new idea that replaces previous assumptions that only forces from the sun and space could create weather at the edge of the ionosphere. The ionosphere was disturbed by the South Pacific volcano as the spacecraft passed over South America.

"These results are an exciting look at how events on Earth can affect weather in space, in addition to space weather affecting Earth," said Jim Spann, space weather lead for NASA.

When the volcano erupted, there was a huge cloud of gases, water vapor, and dust in the sky. Strong winds were caused by the explosion and large pressure disturbances in the atmosphere. The winds moved faster as they expanded into thinner atmospheric layers. The strongest winds below 120 miles altitude measured by the mission since its launch were made by ICON when it reached the ionosphere and the edge of space.

Electric currents were affected by the winds in the ionosphere. The east-flowing electric current is created by particles in the ionosphere. After the eruption, the equatorial electrojet surged to five times its normal peak power and flipped direction for a short time.

The new study shows that the electrojet can be reversed by something on the surface of Earth.

The new research is adding to the understanding of how the ionosphere is affected by events on the ground as well as from space. A strong ionosphere can disrupt gps and radio signals if there is a strong equatorial electrojet.

Understanding how this complex area of our atmosphere reacts in the face of strong forces is a key part of NASA research. NASA will use a fleet of small satellites to track the electrical currents and atmospheric winds that come through the area. Scientists can be more prepared to predict severe problems caused by electrical currents in the ionosphere if they understand what affects electrical currents in the ionosphere.

More information: Brian J. Harding et al, Impacts of the January 2022 Tonga Volcanic Eruption on the Ionospheric Dynamo: ICON‐MIGHTI and Swarm Observations of Extreme Neutral Winds and Currents, Geophysical Research Letters (2022). DOI: 10.1029/2022GL098577 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters Citation: Satellite mission finds that Tonga volcanic eruption effects reached space (2022, May 10) retrieved 10 May 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-05-satellite-mission-tonga-volcanic-eruption.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.