Hunga Tonga Hunga Haʻapai

 

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano is a submarine stratovolcano located in the highly active Tonga-Kermadec subduction zone. It became notable for its violent eruption in January 2022, which produced one of the largest atmospheric explosions recorded in modern times. The eruption generated significant tsunamis that devastated surrounding areas and a shockwave that reverberated around the world. Prior to 2022, the volcano’s activity was characterized by the periodic formation and erosion of ephemeral islands formed between the two older vent structures, Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai.

Location:	Tonga
Coordinates:	-20.540039, -175.393233
Volcano Type:	Caldera

 

Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai’s Location

 

Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai’s Latest Status

2024: Not Active.

 

Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai’s Eruptive History

Year	Overview
1100s (possible)	Large caldera-forming eruption suspected sometime between the 11th and 12th centuries based on geological and ice-core evidence. Exact timing is debated.
1912	Submarine eruption, followed by the formation of a short-lived island.
1937	Submarine eruption, again followed by temporary island formation.
1988	Submarine eruption, producing pumice rafts on the ocean surface.
2009	Explosive submarine eruption, producing ash plumes and forming another temporary island.
2014-2015	Sustained period of Surtseyan activity, with explosions, ash plumes, and the eventual connection of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai islands by a newly formed land bridge.
2021-2022	Eruptive sequence starting in December 2021. Multiple explosive events, ash plumes, and increasing vent activity led up to the climactic paroxysmal eruption on January 15, 2022. This event involved a complex mix of phreatomagmatic and magmatic explosions, generating widespread ashfall, atmospheric shockwaves, and a devastating tsunami.

 

Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai Monitoring

Please refer to Tonga Geological Services for monitoring of this volcano.

 

Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai Images