Tongan Volcano Eruption Induced Cooling, Not Warming: Study

New research reveals that the Tongan volcano eruption in 2022 induced a slight cooling effect rather than contributing to global warming in 2023-24. The study emphasizes human-induced greenhouse gases and highlights the importance of addressing misinformation about climate change causes.

A recent study has discovered that the Tongan volcano eruption in 2022 had a cooling effect on the Earth's atmosphere, contrary to previous beliefs that it contributed to the extreme warming observed in 2023-24.

The findings emphasize that greenhouse gases from human activities remain the primary cause of the recent global warming, with an additional influence from El Nino, according to atmospheric scientist Andrew Dessler from Texas A&M University.

The research, using satellite data from NASA and NOAA, indicated that the eruption forced more energy out of the Earth's climate system than it retained, mirroring the cooling effects of historic volcanic events like those of Tambora in 1815 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

(With inputs from agencies.)