A quick 🧵 about the *size* of the #HungaTonga eruption:
Volcanic eruptions are generally assigned a VEI—Volcanic Explosivity Index—value.
This scale is a general indicator of the explosive character of an eruptive event.
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Volcanic eruptions are generally assigned a VEI—Volcanic Explosivity Index—value.
This scale is a general indicator of the explosive character of an eruptive event.
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This scale, described by Christopher Newhall and Stephen Self in a 1982 paper, is a general indicator of the explosive character of an eruptive event, and reflects the interplay of an eruption's magnitude, intensity, and energy release rate.
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The VEI rating scale employs a set of criteria including ejecta volume, style of eruption, plume height, and injection of gases into the troposphere and stratosphere.
There's no question that the #Tongaeruption was huge—it absolutely was.
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There's no question that the #Tongaeruption was huge—it absolutely was.
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BUT: some of the factors used to figure out a given eruption's VEI value take a while to assess.
In other words, it's too soon for us to know what VEI represents this eruption. Any claims to the contrary should, for the time being, be met with skepticism.
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In other words, it's too soon for us to know what VEI represents this eruption. Any claims to the contrary should, for the time being, be met with skepticism.
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