Key Information
Hunga Tonga – Hunga Haʻapai
| Type | Volcanic Caldera |
| Area | Less than 0.5 square mile |
| Highest Point | 374 ft |
| Discovered | 1616 (Willem Schouten & Jacob Le Maire) |
| Age | Unknown |
Learning Point
- In 2022, a volcano called Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai, which is underwater near the island of Tonga, had a huge explosion! It was so powerful that it sent ash and gas high into the sky. The explosion also caused a big wave called a tsunami that traveled across the ocean. The tsunami reached many places, even far away! Scientists studied the eruption and tsunami to learn more about volcanoes and how they can affect the whole world.
Project
- Draw a picture of Hunga Tonga – Hunga Haʻapai during it’s massive eruption in 2022.
- Overview
- Eruption
- Caldera
Location
| Location | Tonga, Pacific Ocean |
Fun Facts
- The volcano was mostly underwater, making the eruption extra powerful!
- The eruption was heard thousands of miles away, like a giant sonic boom!
- Ash and gas shot miles into the sky, reaching the stratosphere!
- The eruption produced a lot of volcanic lightning, making it a spectacular and scary sight!
Past Lessons
| 150 | March 3, 2025 | (North America) |