Timeline Of Volcanic Activity Leading Up To Jan 15th, 2022 Eruption

By stephseverin123

  • Discoloured water shown

    Discoloured water shown
    On the 2 January a satellite image showed green-yellow discoloured water in the area west of the volcano, accompanied by white gas-and-steam emissions drifting NE on the SW end of the westernmost island.

  • Ash Plume Shown Rising

    Ash Plume Shown Rising
    Satellite images captured a small ash plume rising 5-10 km NE from Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai on January 3rd, 2022.

  • Cyclone Passes Through The Area

    Cyclone Passes Through The Area
    During 3-4 January a cyclone passed through the area, obscuring views of the volcano.

  • Pumice washed up on shore

    Pumice washed up on shore
    Some pumice had washed up on the northwestern beaches of Tongatapu Island on 5 January.

  • Sulfurous odor was reported

    Sulfurous odor was reported
    A sulfurous odor was reported on the Nuku’alofa waterfront on the 6th of January.

  • Activity during 14 January 2022.

    Activity during 14 January 2022.
    A massive eruption plume rising above Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai was captured by a satellite on 14 January 2022. The plume rose above 16 km altitude and expanded radially at the top to 240-260 km in diameter.

  • The eruption on January 15th, 2022

    The eruption on January 15th, 2022
    HIMAWARI-8 satellite image showing the significant eruption plume that rose from Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai taken at 1800 (local time) on 15 January 2022. The top of the plume measured at least 600 km in diameter and rose to at least 20 km altitude, possibly higher. Tongan islands are outlined in blue. Courtesy of CIMSS.