How Hunga Volcano’s 2022 Eruption Impacted Southern Hemisphere Temperatures

The 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano had an unexpected effect on the climate. Instead of contributing to global warming, this underwater volcano’s eruption resulted in a cooling effect across the Southern Hemisphere, lowering temperatures by 0.1°C.

Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai Volcano

This phenomenon raises questions about the complex interactions between volcanic activity and climate systems. Scientists are eager to understand how such eruptions can influence weather patterns. The findings from the Hunga eruption provide valuable insights into climate dynamics, challenging the notion that volcanoes always warm the atmosphere.