News Earth

The Hunga Tonga volcano eruption touched space and spawned a lightning blitz

These are ‘once in a lifetime … observations,’ scientists say

A photo of the eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano.

The eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in the Pacific in January was so powerful that it shot water vapor high enough to touch space, the first time an earthly volcano has been observed achieving that feat.

Tonga Geological Survey Team, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in the Pacific Ocean erupted earlier this year, the event was one for the record books — in several surprising ways.