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What the Tonga volcano’s past tells us about what to expect next

The January 15 blast triggered atmospheric shock waves and a rare volcanic tsunami

Satellite image of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano eruption

The explosive eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano in the South Pacific Ocean on January 15 spewed ash and dust into the stratosphere, while the undersea part of the event triggered a deadly tsunami.

NASA Earth Observatory

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

On January 15, an underwater volcano in the island nation of Tonga erupted with the explosive force of a nuclear bomb, and it may not be done just yet.