This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano in Tonga on Dec. 24, 2021. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
Weathernews Inc. confirmed high-density observational data of sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, believed to be due to the large-scale volcanic eruption near the Tonga archipelago, by its proprietary Soratena weather sensors that are installed in approximately 3,000 locations throughout Japan. It is freely sharing the observation data on atmospheric pressure for the elucidation of the relevant mechanisms by researchers worldwide.
Temporary changes in atmospheric pressure were observed over a wide area due to the large-scale eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai near the Tonga archipelago at about 1:00 PM on January 15, 2022 (Japan time). The atmospheric pressure changes observed by Soratena at about 8:00 PM on January 15 are believed to be attributable to the shockwaves, or air vibration, caused by the eruption.
Further, similar changes in atmospheric pressure were observed at about 9:00 AM on the 17th, indicating the possibility that the air vibration circled around the earth and returned to Japan.
Soratena is a proprietary weather sensor that observes the atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and three other elements every minute. Installed in approximately 3,000 locations throughout Japan, the sensors comprise the largest high-density observation network in the country.
Weathernews hopes that the use of its observation data in research will contribute to the elucidation of phenomena such as the occurrence of tsunami and air vibration due to eruptions.
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Sudden Changes in Atmospheric Pressure Due to Shockwaves from Tonga Volcanic Eruption Confirmed
Weathernews' Soratena weather sensors observed sudden changes in atmospheric pressure throughout Japan on January 15, 2022, from 8:00 PM to a little past 9:00 PM (JST). They are believed to have been caused by the shockwaves, or air vibrations, from the eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai in the periphery of the Tonga archipelago at about 1:00 PM on the same day, January 15.
Observations by Soratena indicate an increase in atmospheric pressure followed immediately by a decrease, with the changes propagating in a concentric circle. The changes captured are presumably the compression (increase in atmospheric pressure) and decompression (decrease in atmospheric pressure) characteristic of shockwaves and are an indication of the magnitude of the volcanic eruption.
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Air Vibrations Circle around the Earth to Return on the January 17
Changes in atmospheric pressure were observed throughout Japan again on January 17, from shortly before 9:00 AM to a little past 10:00 AM.
Data from Soratena indicate the atmospheric pressure rising and then falling immediately, progressing in concentric circles from the southeastern side of the Japanese archipelago including the Kanto region and the Izu Islands. The pressure changes observed were approximately 2 hPa on January 15, while even the more significant changes observed were only about 1 hPa on January 17.
The changes in atmospheric pressure are believed to be attributable to the shockwaves caused by the eruption on January 15, which conceivably circled around the earth and returned shortly before 9:00 AM on January 17. The timing essentially coincides with the expectation that the shockwaves will return to Japan at about 9:00 AM on January 17 after circling around the earth, assuming that their velocity remains constant.
In addition, air vibration circling around the earth from the opposite direction is believed to have passed by Japan at about 5:00 to 6:00 PM on January 16, resulting in the observation of minute changes in atmospheric pressure during this time period.
Atmospheric Pressure Data from Soratena Weather Sensors Made Available for Research
According to Professor Fumihiko Imamura of the Tohoku University International Research Institute of Disaster Science, there is a possibility that air vibrations attributable to the large-scale volcanic eruption in Tonga triggered and magnified the tsunami in Japan and other pan-Pacific areas.
Weathernews is providing observational data on atmospheric pressure from the Soratena weather sensors, free of charge for research purposes only, so that they may be used effectively in studies related to the elucidation of various phenomena as well as disaster prevention. Researchers who wish to have access to the data are invited to contact Weathernews via the Inquiry Form, clearly indicating how they intend to use the data.
Author: Weathernews
