Tonga Underwater Volcano Plume Soars 57km Through Stratosphere... Highest Ever Recorded Height
Comparing Images from Multiple Angles to Measure Volcano Plume Height Based on 'Parallax Effect'
Knowing Plume Height and Composition Helps Ensure Aviation Safety
The eruption of the Tonga submarine volcano 'Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai' on January 15. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
View original image[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] On the 3rd (local time), CNN reported that the volcanic plume from the underwater volcano 'Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai' in the South Pacific island nation of Tonga, which erupted on January 15, soared up to 57 km, setting a record for the highest plume ever recorded. The previous record was the 1991 eruption of the Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines (40 km).
Generally, the height of a volcanic plume can be measured through temperature analysis. However, as altitude increases, temperature fluctuates, making it impossible to measure the height of the Tonga volcanic plume using conventional methods. This is because temperature decreases in the troposphere, increases in the stratosphere (approximately 10?50 km), and decreases again in the mesosphere (50?80 km). Accordingly, the research team measured the height of the volcanic plume based on the 'parallax effect,' which allows height determination by comparing images taken from multiple angles.
Dr. Simon Proud of RAL Space at the UK National Space Research Institute, who led this study, said, "Ten years ago, satellite technology capable of conducting this kind of research did not exist, but recently this technique has become possible."
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Co-author Dr. Andrew Prata explained, "Through the technique used this time, we can measure not only the maximum height of the volcanic plume but also the atmosphere into which volcanic materials were released." CNN reported that knowing the height and composition of the volcanic plume helps in studying the amount of ice in the stratosphere and ensuring aviation safety. The research team expects that this new research method will also contribute to automatic warnings for volcanic storms or eruptions.
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