TONGA
VOLCANO - GEOGRAPHY
News:
Tonga’s volcanic eruption could cause unusual weather for
the rest of the decade, new study shows
What's
in the news?
●
A
recent study published in the Journal of Climate revealed that the eruption of
the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in January 2022 has had significant
implications for global weather patterns.
Key
Findings of the Study:
1.
Unusual Climate Effects:
●
The
eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano has led to unusual weather patterns,
including last year's extraordinarily large ozone hole and the much
wetter-than-expected summer of 2024.
●
These
effects have been due to the massive
release of water vapour into the stratosphere rather than the typical smoke
and sulphur dioxide associated with volcanic eruptions.
2.
Impact on Ozone Hole:
●
The
study suggests that the large ozone hole observed from August to December 2023
was at least partly influenced by the Hunga Tonga eruption.
●
The
water vapour released during the
eruption contributed to chemical reactions that depleted the ozone layer
over Antarctica.
●
This
effect was predicted by climate simulations conducted two years in advance.
3.
Southern Annular Mode:
●
The
presence of the ozone hole led to a positive
phase of the Southern Annular Mode during the summer of 2024.
●
This
resulted in a higher chance of a wet summer in Australia, contrary to
expectations based on the El Niño phenomenon. Again, this outcome was predicted
by climate models well in advance.
4.
Atmospheric Wave Changes:
●
The
eruption appears to have altered the way atmospheric waves travel, influencing high and low-pressure systems
that directly affect weather patterns.
●
This
suggests that the effects of the eruption may persist for years to come,
affecting weather variability across different regions of the planet.
Tonga:
●
Tonga
is an island country in Polynesia, part
of Oceania, with 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited.
Boundaries:
●
The
country spans approximately 800 km north-south and is surrounded by Fiji,
Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Niue, and Kermadec.
Economy:
●
Tonga
has a tropical rainforest climate.
●
The
economy relies heavily on remittances
from Tongans living abroad, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, and the
United States.
●
The
economy focuses on small-scale
industries like handicrafts and agriculture, with efforts to enhance
sectors such as tourism and communications.
Ethnic
Group:
● The largest ethnic group in Tonga is Tongan, followed by a mix of Tongans, Chinese, Fijians, Europeans, and other Pacific Islanders.