Geomagnetic Detection of the Atmospheric Acoustic Resonance at 3.8 mHz During the Hunga Tonga Eruption Event on 15 January 2022

Modeling studies have predicted that the acoustic resonance of the atmosphere during geophysical events such as earthquakes and volcanos can lead to an oscillation of the geomagnetic field with a frequency of about 4 mHz. However, observational evidence is still limited due to scarcity of suitable events. On 15 January 2022, the submarine volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai (20.5 degrees S, 175.4 degrees W, Tonga) erupted in the Pacific Ocean and caused severe atmospheric disturbance, providing an opportunity to investigate geomagnetic effects associated with acoustic resonance. Following the eruption, geomagnetic oscillation is observed at Apia, approximately 835 km from Hunga Tonga, mainly in the Pc 5 band (150-600 s, or 1.7-6.7 mHz) lasting for about 2 hr. The dominant frequency of the oscillation is 3.8 mHz, which is consistent with the frequency of the atmospheric oscillation due to acoustic resonance. The oscillation is most prominent in the eastward (Y) component, with an amplitude of similar to 3 nT, which is much larger than those previously reported for other events (<1 nT). Comparably large oscillation is not found at other stations located further away (>2700 km). However, geomagnetic oscillation with a much smaller amplitude (similar to 0.3 nT) is observed at Honolulu, which is located near the magnetic conjugate point of Hunga Tonga, in a similar wave form as at Apia, indicating interhemispheric coupling. This is the first time that geomagnetic oscillations due to the atmospheric acoustic resonance are simultaneously detected at magnetic conjugate points.

Automated summary

Modeling studies have predicted that geophysical events like earthquakes and volcanos can cause acoustic resonance in the atmosphere, leading to oscillation of the geomagnetic field. However, observations of this phenomenon have been limited. A recent submarine volcano eruption in the Pacific Ocean provided an opportunity to investigate geomagnetic effects associated with acoustic resonance. The eruption resulted in geomagnetic oscillations, primarily in the Pc 5 band, at a location approximately 835 km away, confirming the presence of atmospheric oscillation due to acoustic resonance.