News Climate

Huge volcanic eruption offers clues to fighting climate change

The Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption may have consumed its own methane, satellite data imply

A towering plume rises from the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai eruption in this satellite image. Scientists detected signs that chlorine-driven reactions inside the cloud were breaking down methane in the atmosphere after the eruption.

CIRA Staff

By Javier Barbuzano

A gigantic underwater volcano became a massive chemistry experiment that could help researchers quantify the success of tactics designed to tackle climate change.