Before 2009, there was no such island, which was different from an artificial island. It was formed by the accumulation of eruptive materials when the submarine volcano erupted in 2009.
In other words, in 2009, Tonga picked up an island for nothing because of a volcanic eruption, but since the island surfaced, it has been restless and volcanic eruptions have occurred from time to time.
During 20 140-20 15, the volcano erupted many times, which led to the suspension of Tonga Airlines for many times. Due to the continuous eruption of the volcano, the continuous outflow of magma and other substances increased the area of the island that surfaced in 2009, and thus produced the Hongaha Apai Island.
Before that, there were signs of another outbreak on the island. The ground on the island rose rapidly and then collapsed rapidly, and the temperature of the surrounding sea water rose sharply. There was a small eruption on 14.
On June 5438+1October15th, the submarine volcano erupted again after a small-scale eruption. Volcanic explosivity index (VEI) reached VEI 5-6, which was the largest volcanic eruption in 30 years.
A higher level of VEI will increase its power by 10 times. Starting from level 4, it will cause great damage and have a serious impact on human life. In 2065, Iceland volcano erupted at 438+00, with the intensity level of level 4, and its volcanic ash and other substances covered thousands of kilometers, which affected the flights in Europe at that time.
The eruption of Tonga volcano is at least 10 times as powerful as that of Iceland volcano. At least 10 square kilometers of volcanic ash erupted to an altitude of 30 kilometers after the eruption.
Because of its great power, the scene of the eruption made the geosynchronous satellite 36,000 kilometers away very clear. A few hours after the eruption, volcanic ash covered hundreds of kilometers around.
According to experts' prediction, at least 1 0,000 atomic bombs exploded at the same time, which is also one of the strongest volcanoes in the world since the eruption of 1 996,5438+0 in the Philippines.
Since 18 15, there have been only 1 1 times of VRI 5 and above in the world for more than 200 years, which shows that volcanoes with this intensity level are rare.
New Zealand, 2300 kilometers away, issued a storm surge warning after the volcanic eruption, and there may be strong winds and tsunamis along the coast facing the Pacific Ocean.
In California, 4000 kilometers away, affected by the eruption of Tonga volcano, seawater flooded into houses and huge waves appeared along the coast. Local time: 65438+ 10/5. After the investigation of Chile's coast, the tsunami reached its coastal areas in the afternoon, and the wave height of several coasts exceeded 2 meters.
On the second day of Tonga volcano eruption, that is, in the early morning of June+10/October 16, 65438, Japan also issued a tsunami warning 8,000 kilometers away, which was the first time that Japan issued a tsunami warning since 20 16.
According to the monitoring data in various parts of Japan, although these waves swept 8000 kilometers after the interval of 1 1 hour, the highest measured height of the waves was still 1. 1 meter after arriving in Japan. Many other places in Japan were also affected by the tsunami, but the height of the waves did not exceed 1 m.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a warning that tsunamis will come again and again, calling on people to stay within the safety warning line until the tsunami warning is lifted. In this tsunami warning, 230,000 people in eight counties in Japan were instructed to take refuge. Due to the appearance of the tsunami, more than 20 ships in Japan capsized or sank in the tsunami.
Judging from the power of Tonga volcano eruption, it affected almost half the earth. At present, its impact is only a tsunami caused by the energy released when a volcano erupts. Because its volcanic ash and other substances, as the atmosphere drifts, will have a far-reaching impact. According to experts' prediction, its eruption may last for weeks or years, and its impact on the earth's environment will gradually appear in the future.