The powerful explosion of the Ruang volcano surprises scientists, will it have a planetary impact like the eruption in Tonga?

Ruang volcano on April 17, 2024located on the island of the same name in the north ofIndonesia, unleashed its fury in a spectacular eruption. This island, part of the Sangihe archipelago, is home to the imposing volcano whose 725 meter high silhouette rises majestically on the horizon.

Although Ruang is not among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, its recent eruption has captured the attention of the scientific community for its power and has been compared to similar events, such as the eruption of the Tonga underwater volcano in January 2022.

Power of the eruption and comparisons with the Tonga explosion

Ruang eruption rated “moderate” by the Indonesian authorities, reaching a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) level 3. In contrast, the Tonga eruption recorded a VEI of 5, a level that places it among the largest in recent history. The height of the ash column ejected from Ruang reached 19 kilometers, creating risks for air traffic and air quality in the surrounding region. On the other hand, the Tonga eruption rose up to 58 kilometers above sea level, causing an atmospheric shock wave felt globally.

The difference in ash height is mainly due to the magnitude of the eruptions. The Tonga eruption, which occurred in January 2022, was much more powerful than that of Ruang, releasing a much larger amount of volcanic material.

Gas ejection and tsunami

The Ruang eruption, according to the latest data, is estimated to have expelled a significant amount of water vapor, estimated at between tens and hundreds of thousands of liters. Although no tsunami has occurred so far, authorities have activated high tsunami alert in Indonesia due to the possibility of debris from the volcano falling into the sea.

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In reverse, the eruption of Tonga triggered tsunamis in several regions of the Pacificdevastating coastal communities and releasing approximately 46 billion liters of water into the stratosphere, which is equivalent to 58,000 Olympic swimming pools or, which is the same, 10% of the water that was already in the stratosphere.

Local and regional impact

The eruption of Ruang not only caused the evacuation of over 11,000 inhabitants of the island, but it also kept around 800 people in suspense, displaced from their homes during the dark night.

By comparison, Tonga’s eruption also triggered a displacement crisis, with thousands of people forced to leave their homes. However, unfortunately, a tragedy occurred with the death of three people.

Effects on the Earth’s climate

Volcanic eruptions, like the one in Tonga, trigger a complex interaction between sulfur and water vapor, with significant consequences for the global climate. Sulfur dioxide reflects the sun’s rays outward into the upper layers of the atmosphere, cooling the region, while water vapor, present in large quantities, absorbs solar energy, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

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Unlike sulfur, which dissipates quickly, water vapor can remain in the atmosphere for years, exacerbating warming. In the case of Ruang, although its eruption was smaller than that of Tonga, the release of water vapor and other gases raises uncertainties about its long-term climate effectsdepending on the quantity and composition of emissions, as well as global atmospheric conditions.