Strong Gravity Waves Associated With Tonga Volcano Eruption Revealed by SABER Observations

Using the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry temperature profiles from January 6 to 21 2022, we studied the mesospheric gravity waves (GWs) associated with the Tonga volcano eruption on January 15. We observed that the eruption induced strong GWs in the mesosphere. Detailed analysis shows that there were strong GWs with amplitudes greater than 30 K (twice the usual GWs) on January 15. These GWs have dominant vertical wavelengths of 13.9-25.5 km and horizontal speeds of 44-81 ms(-1), and they have intrinsic periods (momentum flux per unit mass) of similar to 2-5 hr (4-320 m(2)s(-2)). The strong but slow GWs observed here are opposite to the fast GWs observed at different atmospheric layers after the Tonga volcano eruption, and are stronger than the GWs associated with other volcanic eruption and extreme weather events. Such that one can get a more comprehensive picture on GWs excited by a powerful source.

Automated summary

This study investigates a unique type of gravity waves induced by the Tonga volcano eruption, using temperature profiles obtained from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry. The eruption was found to produce strong gravity waves in the mesosphere, with characteristics differing from those associated with other volcanic eruptions and extreme weather events.